Robert Celt
New Member
My heart goes out to people in chronic pain who desperately need relief, but who don't want to end up in an even worse dilemma – addicted to the opioids that are dispensed far too frequently, and that lead far too often to damaged lives or even death ("Weighing risk of opioid addiction, many decide to live with the pain," Thomas Farragher, Metro, March 12).
I want to thank Senator Elizabeth Warren for asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the role that marijuana can play in cutting addiction to opioids for those in pain.
Two recent studies indicate that she is looking in the right place. A JAMA Internal Medicine study in 2014 found that states with medical marijuana laws saw a 24.8 percent reduction in opioid deaths compared with states that had no medical marijuana laws. A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper last year showed that the presence of a medical marijuana dispensary meant a 15 to 35 percent drop in substance abuse admissions and a drop in opioid deaths by overdose.
I know firsthand, as a sufferer of multiple sclerosis who has successfully managed my disease with the help of medical marijuana, how effective this can be.
Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana three years ago, yet only six facilities are open. Thousands of people needing help with pain, and often justifiably fearful of powerful addictive drugs, now linger on waiting lists. It is time we offered them relief.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MA: Medical Marijuana Can Provide An Answer, But Delays Stand In Way
Author: Geoff Reilinger
Contact: Boston Globe
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: Boston Globe
I want to thank Senator Elizabeth Warren for asking the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to examine the role that marijuana can play in cutting addiction to opioids for those in pain.
Two recent studies indicate that she is looking in the right place. A JAMA Internal Medicine study in 2014 found that states with medical marijuana laws saw a 24.8 percent reduction in opioid deaths compared with states that had no medical marijuana laws. A National Bureau of Economic Research working paper last year showed that the presence of a medical marijuana dispensary meant a 15 to 35 percent drop in substance abuse admissions and a drop in opioid deaths by overdose.
I know firsthand, as a sufferer of multiple sclerosis who has successfully managed my disease with the help of medical marijuana, how effective this can be.
Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana three years ago, yet only six facilities are open. Thousands of people needing help with pain, and often justifiably fearful of powerful addictive drugs, now linger on waiting lists. It is time we offered them relief.
News Moderator: Robert Celt 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: MA: Medical Marijuana Can Provide An Answer, But Delays Stand In Way
Author: Geoff Reilinger
Contact: Boston Globe
Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Website: Boston Globe
