Comprehensive Study Finds No Connection Between Marijuana Use and Opioid Initiation or Cessation

A thorough review debunks any association between cannabis use and a person’s engagement with illicit opioids, dispelling the myth of marijuana as a gateway drug. The research results indicate that cannabis neither triggers a person’s inclination to experiment with narcotics nor proves effective in aiding addicts during opioid withdrawal. This revelation holds significant implications for U.S. opioid treatment programs, as some mandate abstinence from cannabis for treatment eligibility, while others incorporate marijuana in opioid addiction management. With approximately 120 daily deaths attributed to opioid-related drug overdoses, the study emphasizes the need for evidence-based addiction treatment to prevent fatalities and enhance patient care. The findings challenge the common practice of enforcing cannabis abstinence for opioid use disorder treatment eligibility and advocate for individualized approaches tailored to each patient’s circumstances. Published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, the study recommends further clinical trials to assess the safety and efficacy of cannabis in alleviating opioid addiction symptoms.