The State of Research on Cannabis as an Opioid “Exit Drug”
The State of Research on Cannabis as an Opioid “Exit Drug”
It’s legal for adult use in 19 states, two territories and DC, and for medical use in 37 states, four territories and DC. It’s on the Nasdaq, and produced in a capitalist profusion of brands and formats. Despite not being legal everywhere yet, cannabis and its derivatives are increasingly considered part of “wellness” culture.
This is reflected by increasing research focus on benefits rather than harms. Meanwhile, 108,000 Americans died from overdoses involving other drugs, primarily illicit opioids, last year. Given the prominent (though far from exclusive) role of opioids in the current drug poisoning crisis, there is naturally great interest from policymakers, researchers and investors in the possibilities of cannabis in addressing both perceived and real harms around opioid use. (FILTER, USA, 29.09.2022)