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The opioid crisis has devastated communities across the United States, leading to a surge in overdoses and deaths. As healthcare professionals and policymakers search for solutions, medical marijuana has emerged as a potential alternative to opioids for pain management. This natural remedy has gained attention for its ability to alleviate chronic pain while potentially reducing the risk of overdose associated with opioid use.

Research into the connection between medical marijuana and opioid usage has revealed promising results. Studies suggest that states with legal medical marijuana programs have seen a decrease in opioid prescriptions and opioid-related deaths. This article explores the growing body of evidence supporting the use of medical marijuana as a tool to combat the opioid epidemic. It also examines how this alternative treatment option might help to lower overdose rates and improve patient outcomes in pain management.

The Opioid Crisis and the Need for Alternatives

USA Opioid Crisis

Understanding the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid crisis has had a devastating impact on communities across the United States. As healthcare professionals and policymakers search for solutions, medical marijuana has gained attention as a potential alternative to opioids for pain management. This natural remedy has shown promise in alleviating chronic pain while potentially reducing the risk of overdose associated with opioid use.

The Scale of the Opioid Epidemic

The opioid crisis has reached alarming proportions, with significant impacts on public health. In Florida, recent data indicates that 4.0% of individuals aged 12 and older engaged in nonmedical opioid use, while 0.70% experienced an opioid use disorder. The state’s opioid-related overdose death rate stood at 14.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2016, surpassing the national rate of 13.3 deaths per 100,000 persons.

The Emergence of Medical Marijuana as a Potential Solution

Medical marijuana has emerged as a promising alternative for chronic pain management. A study involving 115 patients on COT found that 75 chose to remain certified for medical cannabis due to significant pain relief, leading to a reduction in opioid use.

Opiods vs Marijuana

Medical Marijuana’s Impact on Opioid Use

Reduction in Opioid Prescriptions

Studies have shown that medical marijuana has an influence on reducing opioid prescriptions. In Florida, recent data indicates a decrease in nonmedical opioid use from 5.2% in 2003-2006 to 4.0% in 2015-2016 among individuals aged 12 and older. This trend suggests that the availability of medical marijuana may be contributing to a reduction in opioid misuse.

Decreased Opioid Dependence

The introduction of medical cannabis has led to a decrease in opioid dependence. A study involving 115 patients on chronic opioid therapy (COT) found that 75 chose to remain certified for medical cannabis due to significant pain relief. This resulted in a substantial reduction in opioid use, with a 67.1% average decrease in daily morphine milligram equivalents (MME) at the first follow-up, from 49.9 to 16.4 MME.

Woman in a Bottle

Lower Rates of Opioid-related Overdoses

The implementation of medical marijuana programs has been associated with lower rates of opioid-related overdoses. In Florida, the opioid-related overdose death rate was 14.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2016, which was higher than the national rate. However, the introduction of medical cannabis as an alternative treatment option has the potential to help reduce these numbers over time.

Conclusion

Medical marijuana has shown promising results in tackling the opioid crisis. Its ability to manage chronic pain effectively while reducing opioid use and dependence offers a ray of hope in the fight against opioid abuse. The decrease in opioid prescriptions and lower rates of overdose deaths in states with legal cannabis programs highlight the potential of this natural alternative to make a real difference in public health.

As research continues to support the benefits of medical marijuana in pain management, it’s crucial to consider its broader implementation in healthcare strategies. The positive outcomes observed so far suggest that medical cannabis could play a key role in addressing the opioid epidemic and saving lives.

Come into Affordable Marijuana License today to see how medical cannabis can benefit your life! By exploring this alternative treatment option, we may be able to create a safer, more effective approach to pain management and reduce the devastating impact of opioid addiction on individuals and communities.

 


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What is Sickle Cell Anemia?

There is some evidence that suggests that cannabis may be effective in treating some of the symptoms of sickle cell disease, but more research is needed to fully understand its potential benefits and risks. Sickle cell anemia is a genetic blood disorder that causes red blood cells to form a sickle shape, leading to reduced blood flow, pain, and other complications. Pain is a common symptom of sickle cell anemia, and it can be severe and difficult to manage.

In a study spanning just over 31,000 patient days, 232 adult SCD patients experienced chronic pain on more than 54% of total days [1]. Acute, painful episodes are a characteristic feature of sickle cell that require hospitalization, impair quality of life, and impact patient survival [2]. Opioids are the base for pain management in sickle cell, but high doses of opioids are required and are associated with adverse effects including pruritus, tolerance and opioid-induced hyperalgesia (OIH) [3,4].


Current Sickle Cell Anemia Treatment

Sickle cell anemia is a chronic condition that requires long-term management. The goal of treatment for sickle cell anemia is to relieve symptoms, prevent complications, and improve quality of life. The following are some of the common treatments for sickle cell anemia:

  1. Pain management: Pain is a common and debilitating symptom of sickle cell anemia, and it is often treated with pain medication, such as opioids. In some cases, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or anticonvulsants may also be used.
  2. Antibiotics: People with sickle cell anemia are at increased risk of infections, and antibiotics are often prescribed to prevent or treat infections.
  3. Blood transfusions: Blood transfusions can be used to increase the number of healthy red blood cells and improve oxygenation, which can help relieve symptoms and prevent complications in people with sickle cell anemia.
  4. Hydroxyurea: Hydroxyurea is a medication that has been shown to increase the production of fetal hemoglobin, which can help prevent sickle cell crisis and reduce the need for blood transfusions.
  5. Bone marrow transplantation: Bone marrow transplantation is a potentially curative treatment for sickle cell anemia, but it is a complex and risky procedure that is only recommended for people with severe forms of the disease who have a compatible donor.

Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) is a complex and potentially life-saving procedure that is used to treat a variety of conditions, including sickle cell anemia. The mortality rate of bone marrow transplants range from 1 to 30%, depending on a number of factors, including the patient’s age, overall health, the type of transplant, and the presence of any complicating factors, such as infections or other medical conditions.


Pros & Cons of Cannabis on Sickle Cell

Studies have shown that cannabis can be effective in reducing pain, improving sleep, and reducing anxiety and depression. Additionally, some preclinical studies have suggested that the endocannabinoid system, which is the system in the body that interacts with cannabinoids like those found in cannabis, may play a role in regulating pain and inflammation in sickle cell anemia.

However, it is important to note that while cannabis may be effective in treating some of the symptoms of sickle cell anemia, it is not a cure for the disease. Additionally, the use of cannabis, especially in its smoked form, is associated with several potential side effects and health risks including respiratory problems, increased heart rate, and impaired cognitive and motor function [6,7,8] .

If you have sickle cell anemia and are considering using cannabis for symptom relief, it is important to consult with a healthcare provider who is familiar with both the disease and the use of cannabis. They can help you make an informed decision based on your individual needs and circumstances.



References

  1. Smith W.R., Penberthy L.T., Bovbjerg V.E., McClish D.K., Roberts J.D., Dahman B., Aisiku I.P., Levenson J.L., Roseff S.D. Daily Assessment of Pain in Adults with Sickle Cell Disease. Ann. Intern. Med. 2008;148:94–101. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-148-2-200801150-00004.[PubMed] [CrossRef]
  2. Darbari D.S., Wang Z., Kwak M., Hildesheim M., Nichols J., Allen D., Seamon C., Peters-Lawrence M., Conrey A., Hall M.K., et al. Severe Painful Vaso-Occlusive Crises and Mortality in a Contemporary Adult Sickle Cell Anemia Cohort Study. PLoS ONE. 2013;8:e79923. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0079923.[PMC free article][PubMed] [CrossRef]
  3. Gupta M., Msambichaka L., Ballas S.K., Gupta K. Morphine for the Treatment of Pain in Sickle Cell Disease. Sci. World J. 2015;2015:1–10. doi: 10.1155/2015/540154.[PubMed] [CrossRef]
  4. Tran H., Sagi V., Song-Naba W.L., Wang Y., Mittal A., Lamarre Y., Zhang L., Gupta K. Effect of chronic opioid therapy on pain and survival in a humanized mouse model of sickle cell disease. Blood Adv. 2019;3:869–873. doi: 10.1182/bloodadvances.2018024299.[PubMed] [CrossRef]
  5. Stockings E., Campbell G., Hall W.D., Nielsen S., Zagic D., Rahman R., Murnion B., Farrell M., Weier M., Degenhardt L. Cannabis and cannabinoids for the treatment of people with chronic noncancer pain conditions: A systematic review and meta-analysis of controlled and observational studies. Pain. 2018;159:1932–1954. doi: 10.1097/j.pain.0000000000001293.[PubMed] [CrossRef]
  6. Abrams D.I., Jay C.A., Shade S.B., Vizoso H., Reda H., Press S., Kelly M.E., Rowbotham M.C., Petersen K.L. Cannabis in painful HIV-associated sensory neuropathy: A randomized placebo-controlled trial. Neurology. 2007;68:515–521. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000253187.66183.9c.[PubMed] [CrossRef]
  7. Cooper Z.D., Comer S.D., Haney M. Comparison of the Analgesic Effects of Dronabinol and Smoked Marijuana in Daily Marijuana Smokers. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2013;38:1984–1992. doi: 10.1038/npp.2013.97.[PubMed] [CrossRef]

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