New Study Shows Decrease in Prescription Drug Use in States With Medical Marijuana Laws
A new study released by two researchers at the University of Georgia, Ashley Bradford and David Bradford, reveals that patients suffering from various physical and mental ailments are increasingly turning to medical marijuana for relief, as opposed to dangerous prescription opiates and narcotics.
The study looked at records of prescription medications that were covered by Medicare Part D from 2010 to 2013, which showed a glaring discrepancy in the numbers of patients using prescription narcotics between states with medical marijuana laws and states that had no such legislation.
The Bradfords’ study shows that in the 17 states that have medical marijuana laws, the daily doses filled per physician per year of various prescription drugs was sharply lower, with the biggest drop registering in the pain category: 3,644.53 fewer daily doses prescribed.
Several other drug categories also showed significant drops; 1,106.51 fewer prescriptions of anti-anxiety meds; 615.03 fewer prescriptions of sleep disorder meds; 1,122.86 fewer prescriptions of psychosis meds.
Additionally, the study showed that states which had a marijuana law in 2010 showed a decrease of $104.5 million in Medicare Part D prescription drug spending. By 2013, this figure had already risen to $165.2 million.
The researches forecast that if all states had medical marijuana laws by 2013, Medicare Part D would have saved about $468.1 million that year.
So, not only are Americans spending less money on dangerous and habit-forming prescriptions drugs when sound medical marijuana legislation is implemented, but state coffers are benefiting as well.
The pharmaceutical establishment has fought the marijuana legalization movement at every step, paying off prominent MDs - Dr. Herbert Kleber of Columbia University - and various organizations like the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
A recent article by The Washington Post also revealed how pharmaceutical companies are attempting to stall marijuana legalization by lobbying certain federal agencies.
Despite such underhanded tactics, the body of peer-reviewed scientific studies into the medicinal benefits of cannabis is continuing to grow. The study concludes that the Schedule I classification of marijuana is outdated.
Images: legalizationofmarijuana.com, pinopinion.com
Study: Ashley C. Bradford and W. David Bradford
Medical Marijuana Laws Reduce Prescription Medication Use In Medicare Part D
Health Affairs 35, no.7 (2016):1230-1236
doi: 10.1377/hlthaff.2015.1661
I need to get on my cannabis content ASAP..... I have so much to say!
Good post. Interesting read
I still have to use anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medication, but some weed here and there helps. It can actually cause anxiety if you usee too much though.
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Glad to hear some good changes are finally happening!
28 votes and $3.23, yikes. I guess the makeup tutorials are more important.
Good stuff! :D
Great article. I have been in support of marijuana for use a long time now. Used to take other medications to help slow my mind down a bit, but a little bit of pot at night helps me accomplish the same thing, without any of the accompanying side effects prescriptions can cause