Opioid addiction and deaths due to overdoses have reached frightening rates in the US. While provisional CDC data shows a 27% decrease in overdose deaths in 2024, there has been a significant increase in fentanyl-related overdoses. In 2022, fentanyl, a synthetic opioid, was linked to almost 70% of all overdose deaths. To combat opioid addiction and prevent overdoses, researchers are looking for safer alternatives to issues such as pain. One such option is cannabis. Understanding how and why safe cannabis consumption can help in opioid addiction is vital for combating America’s opioid crisis.
Demystifying Cannabis
People have been using cannabis as a powerful therapeutic for countless health-related issues for thousands of years, yet, since the late 20th century, it has become taboo, a status only beginning to lift.
Cannabis as the Forbidden Fruit
It wasn’t until 1970, when Congress passed the Controlled Substances Act, that cannabis was classified as a Schedule I drug, the highest level reserved for drugs like LSD, fentanyl, heroin, bath salts, and ecstasy. Even cocaine and methamphetamine are classified as Schedule II drugs. Despite the lack of any corroborating evidence of cannabis being worthy of such a classification, this ranking brought with it a lasting stigma that advocates for the benefits of safe cannabis consumption have been fighting for decades.
Cannabis as a Therapeutic
With the recent legalization of cannabis in many states, researchers can finally study the benefits of cannabis from a broader perspective, without the cloud of judgment and legalities of previous years. Most researchers submitting applications to the FDA to study cannabis want to study its benefits for addiction and pain medicine (53%), primarily because traditional treatments involve opioids, which are highly addictive and deadly. To date, cannabis studies have revealed a long list of potential therapeutic benefits. Here are a few issues researchers show can benefit from cannabis:
How Can Cannabis Promote Harm Reduction in the Opioid Crisis?
Statistics show the real-world harm opioids cause. Many people who become addicted to opioids are prescribed them for pain. You quickly build a tolerance to opioids, requiring higher doses to feel the same effects. Higher doses lead to accidental overdoses and prolonged use quickly leads to addiction.
Unfortunately, people often turn to illicit street drugs with no regulatory standards or safeguards. Many drugs like ecstasy are cut with synthetic fentanyl because it is cheaper, but it’s also extremely potent, causing countless overdoses. The safe consumption of cannabis as an alternative for treating issues like pain, can promote harm reduction in several ways:
Reduce Opioid Use and Dependence
With medical cannabis legalization, there was a 24.8% decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths in many states. Studies show patients using medical cannabis for chronic pain can reduce opioid use by as much as 64%. Cannabis users also have fewer medication side effects and need fewer medications—45% claiming an overall better quality of life. Beneficial cannabinoids in cannabis, such as THC, CDB, CBN, and CBG, are associated with pain relief and can help reduce the need for opioids, lower addiction, and overdose risks, and offer patients a safer pain-management alternative.
Ease Withdrawal Symptoms
The severity of withdrawal symptoms is a major obstacle for people trying to beat opioid addiction. Various studies show cannabis can be significantly effective in reducing many of the primary withdrawal symptoms, such as anxiety, bone and muscle aches, tremors, restlessness, sleep issues, nausea, and drug cravings.
Repair Opioid-Induced Neural Brain Damage
Chronic opioid use often leads to extensive brain damage, typically affecting reward, decision-making, and impulse-control centers. Research shows cannabis cannabinoids can promote the regrowth of neurons and reduce neuro-inflammation, which can help repair damage caused by prolonged opioid use, while enhancing cognitive function.
Prevent Opioid Relapse
Relapse is a major risk of quitting opioids. Issues like stress, opioid cravings, and environmental prompts, like being in certain settings or around specific people, can often trigger relapse and compromise rehabilitation. Studies show cannabis can help reduce cravings and anxiety often linked to relapse. Providing ways to manage triggers effectively can help avoid relapse incidents.
Where to Find a Knowledgeable Cannabis Dispensary
Flōr de fred is a trustworthy cannabis dispensary in NYC dedicated to battling the opioid epidemic through safe cannabis use, education, and harm-reduction strategies. They promote cannabis as a powerful tool for reducing opioid dependency for healthier individuals and communities. Visit the dispensary or explore their online menu for premium products, valuable resources, and personalized support.
