Can medical marijuana solve the opioid crisis?

There have been many studies that show a reduction in opioid hospital related stays, and even deaths, in states that have legalized medical marijuana. Researchers from the University of California San Diego found hospitalization rates of people suffering from painkiller abuse and addiction dropped on average 23 percent in states that offered medical marijuana. Opioid overdose cases at hospitals in states with legalized marijuana also dropped by an average of 13 percent, after analyzing hospitalization records from 1997 to 2014 in 27 states, nine of which legalized medical marijuana within that timeframe.

There is no doubt that medical marijuana is less addictive and much safer than traditional painkillers. Of course, there are many other health related benefits to the legalization of medical marijuana. Will people abuse the use of medical marijuana? Yes, of course people will abuse medical marijuana, but the side effects are fewer than other medications and much less addictive. 

In closing, we need to seriously consider legalizing medical marijuana in Missouri, as a safer and less addictive alternative to the opiates now available.

- Travis Hagewood