
Residents of states where medical marijuana is legalized suffer fewer overdoses from prescription pain medication than elsewhere, says a new study by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania.
Opioid analgesics are a class of pain medications that include popular pills like OxyContin, Percocet and Vicodin. Though effective at suppressing moderate to severe pain, opioid analgesics are addictive and linked with a range of negative side effects.
Additionally, overdose deaths involving opioid analgesics have more than quadrupled over the last decade. But according to new research, states where medical marijuana is still strictly forbidden are bearing the brunt of that increase.
As detailed in a new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, researchers at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania looked at overdose data of all 50 states from 1999 to 2010. They found that the 13 states where medical marijuana is legally prescribed saw a 24.8 percent lower annual opioid overdose mortality rate in the wake of the passed legalization legislation.
The study did not attempt to ascertain the effectiveness of medical marijuana for patients suffering from pain. But lead researcher Marcus A. Bachhuber said in a released statement that medical cannabis "may provide relief for some individuals."
"In addition, people already taking opioids for pain may supplement with medical marijuana and be able to lower their painkiller dose, thus lowering their risk of overdose."
GMT 18:35 2018 Thursday ,11 January
Syrian refugee sets himself ablaze at UN office in LebanonGMT 18:48 2018 Tuesday ,09 January
Novo Nordisk woos Belgian nano-drug makerGMT 17:54 2017 Wednesday ,27 December
Medical evacuations begin from besieged Syria rebel bastionGMT 12:14 2017 Monday ,25 December
MoHAP successfully conducts cochlear implant operationGMT 18:24 2017 Sunday ,24 December
Palestinian conjoined twins arrive in RiyadhGMT 19:05 2017 Monday ,18 December
new! magazine names fitness & food editorGMT 17:03 2017 Wednesday ,29 November
Spain reports case of 'mad cow disease'GMT 14:05 2017 Saturday ,11 November
EU can't agree on new licence for controversial glyphosate weedkiller
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2025 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor