Whenever I write anything about the solutions to the opioid epidemic, there's a question I almost always get from readers: What about medical marijuana?
The question comes in reference to a growing body of research — which I've written about before — indicating that the legalization of medical marijuana may lead to a drop in drug overdose deaths. The idea: Marijuana is an effective painkiller, so it could be a substitute for some opioid painkillers that have led to the current overdose epidemic. Because marijuana doesn't cause deadly overdoses and is less addictive than opioids, replacing some use of opioids with pot could prevent some overdose deaths.
This idea has been backed by some major politicians. Last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi said at a press conference, “Doctors say, ‘Don't tell us how many pills we can prescribe.' Well, maybe we should. Others say there are other ways to relieve stress and relieve pain and that you don't need opioids in the first place. We are too reliant to transition from them. Marijuana, yoga, all kinds of other things that are homeopathic but are not addictive in this dangerous way.”
