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Analysis: Marijuana Legalization in California Associated With Lower Alcohol Consumption
San Francisco, CA: The passage of adult-use marijuana legalization in California is associated with sustained decreases in alcohol consumption, according to data published in the journal Addiction.
Researchers affiliated with the University of California, San Francisco and the healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente assessed trends in self-reported alcohol consumption among northern Californians prior to and following voters’ decision to legalize marijuana. (California legalized marijuana in 2016.) Study participants were Kaiser Permanente patients who underwent annual screenings for alcohol use during visits with their primary care doctors. Investigators reviewed data from over 3.5 million adults over four years.
Researchers identified sustained declines in participants’ weekly drinking patterns, as well as in how often they engaged in heavy episodic drinking, following legalization. Declines were most pronounced among those ages 35 to 49.
“Specifically, this group showed a significant immediate reduction in frequent HED [heavy episodic drinking], along with gradual declines over time in HED and rates of exceeding both daily and weekly limits,” investigators determined. “This may suggest that cannabis policy changes contributed to a meaningful shift away from higher risk drinking behaviors, potentially reflecting greater substitution effects as compared to younger groups.”
Declines were less pronounced among those ages 21 to 34 and among those 65+.
The study’s authors concluded, “Cannabis policy changes in California, USA, appear to be linked to age-specific changes in alcohol use, with moderate reductions, particularly among middle-aged adults.”
The findings are consistent with those from Canada determining that alcohol sales declined in that country following the adoption of adult-use marijuana legalization.
Survey data published last year in The Harm Reduction Journal found that 60 percent of cannabis consumers acknowledge using it to reduce their alcohol intake.
Full text of the study, “Are cannabis policy changes associated with alcohol use patterns? Evidence from age-group differences based on primary care screening data,” appears in Addiction.
Survey: IBD Patients Report Symptomatic Benefits, Decreased Reliance on Opioids Following Cannabis Use
Cleveland, OH: Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, frequently report using cannabis products to manage their symptoms, according to survey data published in the journal Academia Medicine.
Investigators affiliated with the Case Western Reserve School of Medicine surveyed 93 IBD patients regarding their use of either cannabis or CBD products.
Among those participants who acknowledged consuming cannabis, most said that it mitigated their IBD-related pain, stress, and anxiety. Many patients also reported using CBD oil products; however, they did not perceive them to be as effective as cannabis.
Thirty-four percent of patients reported decreasing their opioid consumption when using either cannabis or CBD products – a finding that is consistent with prior data. Fifteen percent of patients reported that their use of cannabis products induced disease remission.
“The findings indicate that a significant proportion of IBD patients use cannabis, notice symptom relief, and prefer its therapeutic use,” the study’s authors concluded. “As interest in alternative treatments gains momentum, these results can influence future clinical trials, guide healthcare professionals in patient counseling, and be included in altering treatment modalities.”
Observational trials have previously documented that cannabis use by IBD patients is associated with fewer ER visits. In a randomized placebo-controlled trial involving 21 patients with refractory Crohn’s disease, nearly half achieved disease remission following their use of herbal cannabis. A separate placebo-controlled trial reported that herbal cannabis is associated with clinical improvements and increased quality of life in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis.
Full text of the study, “Inflammatory bowel disease patients believe cannabis and cannabidiol oil relieve symptoms,” appears in Academia Medicine.
Delaware: Medical Cannabis Dispensaries To Begin Adult-Use Sales
Dover, DE: Consumers ages 21 and older can begin purchasing cannabis products from licensed retailers on Friday, August 1st – some 28 months after lawmakers approved legislation legalizing the adult-use market.
Consumers will initially be able to purchase cannabis at approximately a dozen retail locations — all of which are existing medical cannabis dispensaries that have received ‘conversion licenses’ to sell to patients and adults.
Regulators have pledged to approve additional licenses to new applicants in the coming months.
“Delaware has taken a major step forward by launching a legal adult-use cannabis market that prioritizes equity, safety, and accountability,” Democratic Governor Matt Meyer said. “This new industry will generate critical revenue to strengthen our schools, infrastructure, and public health systems, while creating real opportunities for entrepreneurs. This revenue also gives us a powerful tool to invest in the communities most impacted by the war on drugs, addressing past wrongs and ensuring that the benefits of this new market reach every corner of our state.
A Delaware State Auditor’s report estimates that adult-use sales will generate $43 million in annual tax revenue.
Survey: Patients Undergoing Opioid Maintenance Therapy Frequently Use Cannabis To Mitigate Cravings, Withdrawal Symptoms
Munich, Germany: A significant percentage of patients undergoing opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) acknowledge consuming cannabis to ease withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings, according to survey data published in the journal Brain Sciences.
German researchers affiliated with the University of Munich surveyed 128 opioid use disorder (OUD) patients receiving OMT. Forty-one percent of respondents reported using cannabis. Of those, 59 percent said that they did so “to suppress cravings for other [controlled] substances.” Thirty-nine percent said they used cannabis “to suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms.”
The findings are consistent with prior studies involving opioid-dependent subjects.
“These findings highlight a complex interaction between opioid treatment and cannabis use,” the study’s authors concluded. “Further longitudinal and placebo-controlled trials are needed to investigate the clinical and pharmacological interactions between cannabis and OMT, including effects on craving, withdrawal, and overall treatment outcomes.”
Full text of the study, “Cannabis use in opioid maintenance therapy: Prevalence, clinical correlates, and reasons for use,” appears in Brain Sciences.
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