Legal Cannabis Linked to 11% Drop in Daily Opioid Use

A new study from Boston University brings hope to America's ongoing battle with the opioid crisis: legalizing cannabis for recreational use may help people reduce their reliance on dangerous opioids.

Researchers examined nearly 29,000 people who inject drugs across 13 states between 2012 and 2022. They found that states offering both medical and recreational cannabis saw a 9 to 11 percentage point decline in daily opioid use compared to states with medical cannabis only.

The results are especially significant because people who inject drugs face the highest risk of opioid overdose. In the US, opioids contribute to more than 75% of fatal drug overdoses, making any reduction in use potentially lifesaving.

Dr. Danielle Haley, the study's lead author and assistant professor at Boston University School of Public Health, calls the findings profound. The decrease happened even among people experienced with opioid use who likely face unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when reducing their intake.

The key may lie in access to safer alternatives. Legal cannabis tends to be higher quality and more potent than black market products. As these regulated products become more available and affordable, people can reduce opioid use without necessarily increasing how often they use cannabis.

The decline in opioid use was consistent across all racial and ethnic groups, as well as among both males and females. This widespread benefit suggests the policy change could help diverse communities struggling with addiction.

The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, comes at a pivotal moment. Last December, President Trump signed an executive order downgrading cannabis from a Schedule 1 to Schedule 3 classification, recognizing it poses minimal to moderate risk of dependence.

The Bright Side

This research adds to growing evidence that updating outdated drug policies can improve public health outcomes. By creating a safe, regulated supply of cannabis, states may be offering people a pathway away from the unstable and toxic opioid supply that claims tens of thousands of lives annually.

Dr. Leo Beletsky, study co-author and professor at Northeastern University, emphasizes that sensible policy changes can positively impact our most vulnerable neighbors. Nearly all US states now allow medical cannabis, and 48% permit recreational use.

Stephen Murray, an overdose survivor and former paramedic, notes the study shows what's possible when legal barriers fall and safer alternatives become available. Even people with long histories of injection drug use showed meaningful reductions in daily opioid consumption.

The research reminds us that compassionate, evidence-based policy can save lives and offer hope to those fighting addiction.