CLAIMS that medical cannabis use has reduced opioid overdose deaths in the United States (PD Friday) have been challenged by a University of Queensland (UQ) drug abuse expert.
Professor Wayne Hall from UQ's Centre for Youth Substance Abuse Research said there was weak evidence to support the claims.
"The statements that legalising medical marijuana reduces opioid overdose deaths by offering a less risky method of pain management are based on studies with results that have not been confirmed through more rigorous scientific methods," Hall said.
"Although the studies show a relationship over time between the passing of medical marijuana laws and the reduction of opioid overdose death rates, they do not provide good evidence that the laws caused the reduction in deaths," he added.
"Access to medically assisted treatment programs for opioid dependence, such as methadone and buprenorphine, is known to reduce overdose risk."
Hall also urged caution around research claiming the pain relief action of medical cannabis.
"A recent review found that the analgesic effect of cannabinoids was modest, at best," he said.
"An Australian study found that chronic pain patients who used cannabis did not use lower doses of opioids or report less pain than those who did not."
CLICK HERE for Hall's commentary article published in Addiction .
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