New research that was just published in the Social Science Research Network found a “consistent” correlation with legalization and a reduction of fatal overdoses. The effects were greatest in states that had legalized earliest.
“Our findings suggest that broadening recreational marijuana access could help address the opioid epidemic. Previous research largely indicates that marijuana (primarily for medical use) can reduce opioid prescriptions, and we find it may also successfully reduce overdose deaths,” says the report.
This paper has yet to be peer-reviewed, so take it with some caution. It was created by a team of five from Texas Tech, Angelo State, Metropolitan State, New Mexico State, and a think tank American Institute for Economic Research.
With further research, this would go a long way in confirming the wisdom of marijuana access and awareness reducing the desire to reach for more potent and dangerous alternatives on the black market.
I’m looking forward to this paper being peer-reviewed, and more research coming out on the subject.
Read the paper over at Social Science Research Network.
