Cannabis: The Exit Drug for Serious Addiction

[LunaSea]

A growing body of evidence now exists to support the counter notion that for many people, pot serves as a path away from the use of more dangerous substances, including opioids, alcohol, prescription drugs, cocaine, and tobacco.

In jurisdictions where marijuana use is legally regulated, researchers have reported year-over-year declines in opioid-related abuse and mortality. According to data published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, deaths attributable to both prescription opiates and heroin fell by 20 percent shortly after marijuana legalization and by 33 percent within six years. Overall, the study’s investigators concluded, “States with medical cannabis laws had a 24.8 percent lower mean annual opioid overdose mortality rate compared with states without medical cannabis laws.” Data published this past April in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence also reports a dramatic decline in opioid pain reliever related hospitalizations following legalization.

http://www.alternet.org/drugs/evidence-overwhelming-cannabis-exit-drug-major-addictions-not-gateway-new-ones

[Chemisse]

1. This is a really big deal.

We need all the tools we can get for overcoming the opioid addiction in this country, and pot is really helping a lot of people.

[LakeArenal]

2. I have "researched" for years and have no signs of an opiod addiction..

I have many who have researched along with me. We knew forever that pot was never a "gateway" to anything more than brownies.

Nice to hear more folks are finding it useful. Good luck to anyone fighting addiction.

[Heartstrings]

3. I can honestly say

after suffering with migraines for over 30 years, cannabis is the only substance that actually diminishes the pain during an episode. I've tried opioids, no relief and too many side effects. If cannabis was legal in my state my neurologist has assured me she would write a script immediately...

Have never, ever felt this was a "gateway" drug any more than drinking beer leads you to the "hard stuff"...

[mountain grammy]

4. An exit drug..

for alcoholics too. I know several who have given up booze and enjoy a nice high with no hangover and nasty side effects. Some AA sponsors will not abide by marijuana use and a friend lost a year's sobriety when she told her sponsor she was using cannabis. She got a new sponsor, all is well.