MedSERV Blog

Medical Cannabis Vs. Prescription Opioids: Everything You Need To Know

By Naomi C. Abrams

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Millions of Americans suffer from chronic pain, resulting in a disturbingly large number of prescription opioid scripts written per year.

In 2017 alone, more than 191 million prescriptions for opioid pain medication were given in the United States, which is about 58.7 prescriptions for every 100 people. More than 11 million people misused opioids that year, resulting in more than 47,000 deaths and tens of thousands of hospitalizations due to overdose.

Thankfully, there is good news to share.

According to research conducted by Harvard University, states with Medical Cannabis-friendly laws are writing increasingly fewer opioid prescriptions, and, as a result, having fewer tragedies due to these substances.

One of the studies showed that when Medical Cannabis laws went into effect in a given state, opioid prescriptions fell by 2.21 million daily doses per year.

When Medical Cannabis dispensaries opened, prescriptions for opioids fell by 3.74 million daily doses per year. These decreases in daily opioid doses were particularly notable for hydrocodone and morphine prescriptions.

Now, let's look at how Medical Cannabis compares to prescription opioids, and discuss why many patients prefer cannabis over pills.

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What Are The Main Reasons Cannabis Is Preferred Over Prescription Opioids?

There are many reasons why patients may prefer Medical Cannabis over prescription opioids.

• Cannabis is safer, less addictive, and often more affordable than prescription opioids. According to several studies, it is also less likely to be abused than opioids and other drugs.
• With prescription opioids, there are unpleasant and dangerous side effects that you do not experience after cannabis use. They can wreak havoc on the body and affect your overall quality of life when misused.
• Opioids can cause slowed breathing, constipation, nausea, slowed metabolism, and debilitating withdrawal symptoms. Cannabis is much less likely to cause any of these side effects, and it is physically impossible to overdose from it.
• There are various ways to enjoy Medical Cannabis, such as sublingual drops, GELS, topical cream, and more.
• You can even make your own edibles with your favorite ingredients!

*Remember to always consult your doctor before starting or stopping a new medication.

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What Types Of Conditions Qualify A Patient For Medical Cannabis?

There are numerous medical conditions that can qualify you for a Medical Cannabis recommendation.

Whether you suffer from chronic pain due to a car accident or nerve pain due to a disease such as multiple sclerosis, your doctor can tell you whether Medical Cannabis can help you.

Once you have your Medical Cannabis card, you can start purchasing from your local MedSERV dispensary.