{"componentChunkName":"component---common-build-tags-template-js","path":"/tag/opioids/4","result":{"data":{"allArticle":{"edges":[{"node":{"id":"Article_2259-markdown","title":"The Long History of Opioid Abuse in the United States","slug":"the-long-history-of-opioid-abuse-in-the-united-states","content":"In the last few years, it seems as if the call for a solution to the rampant opioid addiction or what is commonly referred to as the “opioid epidemic” has reached a fever pitch — and with reason. [Statistics](https://www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/epidemic/index.html) from the Center for Disease Control reveal that more than 650,000 prescriptions for opioids are distributed every single day with more than 4,000 people initiating non-medical or doctor-regulated use daily. And in just 15 years, between 2000 and 2015, the number of prescription opioids quadrupled and more than half a million people lost their lives due to drug overdoses.\r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### An Epidemic in the United States\r\n \r\nOpioids are substances that are supposed to be used to help reduce or eliminate moderate to severe pain in the body by interacting with the opioid receptors that are distributed throughout the body in the brain, spinal cord and digestive tract. They are a class of drugs that includes natural, synthetic and semi-synthetic prescribed medicines including oxycodone most recognized as OxyContin or Percocet and hydrocodone better known as Vicodin as well as illegal drugs like heroin and opium. \r\n\r\nThe present opioid epidemic is usually traced back to the 1990s, when both pundits and presidents began expressing a heightened concern over the growing number of adults abusing what was once touted as a wonder drug. Opioids became known for being highly addictive and a driving factor in the large numbers of deaths among communities of color, veterans and other marginalized groups who were not often seen with the same compassion that has been introduced to the cultural conversation surrounding drug abuse and rehabilitation today. Donald Trump has expressed concern for what he considers a unique national emergency affecting the country right now, although it is actually a problem that has been resurfacing again and again since the 19th century.\r\n\r\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA DOES NOT CAUSE OPIOID ADDICATION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/marijuana-does-not-cause-opioid-addiction)\r\n\r\n### The History of Opioids\r\n\r\nThe start of opioid abuse begins much further back than just a few decades ago in the 1990s.\r\nThe history of opioid use [dates back](http://www.theatlantic.com/sponsored/purdue-health/a-brief-history-of-opioids/184/) in time to Lower Mesopotamia, when opium poppy was being cultivated in 3400 B.C. Historians have frequently traced the beginning of the abuse problem back to the 19th century following the introduction of morphine to modern medicine in 1817 that changed the medical practice forever. \r\n\r\nAt the time, morphine was taken orally and took time for the effects to kick in. It often came with unpleasant side effects ranging from vomiting, nausea and constipation to dizziness and respiratory problems including drastically slowed breathing. Still, it wasn’t until a little more than 50 years later in 1870 that opioid abuse began to become a prevalent issue with the emergence of the hypodermic needle, which allowed for almost instantaneous relief from pain due to how it was administered. Although well-meaning, physicians looked to morphine for almost any reason to alleviate their patients pain-related symptoms from significant wounds to menstrual cramps, creating a culture of morphine-addicted patients. \r\n\r\nThere were also instances where patients were put in charge of administering their own doses of morphine from traveling doctors and medical professionals who only made infrequent visits due to transportation. Unattended and unregulated access to morphine only exacerbated the already-widespread problem and catapulted that era into a opioid epidemic. \r\n\r\n### Heroin & Morphine\r\n\r\nAlmost 30 years later in 1898, heroin was [introduced commercially](http://edition.cnn.com/2016/05/12/health/opioid-addiction-history/index.html) as a pain reliever, cough suppressant and non-addictive substitute for morphine addicts. After it was clear the new alternative was also highly addictive, it eventually became illegal in 1924 after the Heroin Act was passed which banned the importation, manufacture and possession of the substance throughout the United States. In 1938, the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act allowed the FDA to declare that all food, drugs and cosmetics sold to the public needed to be proven safe and free of harm, but still allowed medicines that were derived from opioids and already being sold like codeine, morphine and oxycodone to remain available. \r\n\r\nToday, these same substances are being prescribed and abused by patients despite more and more evidence that cannabis can be an effective alternative to traditional opioid treatment for pain. In fact, a seminal [study](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication) recently released by HelloMD and UC Berkeley shows that 92% of cannabis patients actually prefer to manage their chronic pain using cannabis to opioids, proving that cannabis can be just as effective as prescription pills for physical discomfort.\r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \r\n\r\n\r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/2wBDABALDA4MChAODQ4SERATGCgaGBYWGDEjJR0oOjM9PDkzODdASFxOQERXRTc4UG1RV19iZ2hnPk1xeXBkeFxlZ2P/2wBDARESEhgVGC8aGi9jQjhCY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2NjY2P/wgARCAAPABQDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFwAAAwEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIDBP/EABUBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAID/9oADAMBAAIQAxAAAAFdGeymhYFP/8QAGhAAAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAECEQMSIf/aAAgBAQABBQJUiPSWNXBmwj//xAAXEQEAAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAhNR/9oACAEDAQE/AVstf//EABURAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAR/9oACAECAQE/AUf/xAAYEAACAwAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQUQAhIv/aAAgBAQAGPwKIaVH/xAAcEAACAgIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAREhUXExQZH/2gAIAQEAAT8hZea6FfNbMn5laKm0miEna9GrJ//aAAwDAQACAAMAAAAQAD//xAAXEQEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABABEh/9oACAEDAQE/EHkCZP/EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAEf/aAAgBAgEBPxDFk3//xAAdEAEAAgIDAQEAAAAAAAAAAAABABEhMUFRYbHR/9oACAEBAAE/EEFUhCHjv9jiKDY1V+bqMYu51p9hc6n0b+/IvUyVacrL71lpup//2Q==","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/14b42/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/f836f/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg 200w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/2244e/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg 400w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/14b42/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg 800w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/47498/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/54ac5/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/58556/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/61e93/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp 200w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/1f5c5/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp 400w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/58556/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp 800w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/99238/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp 1200w,\n/static/3b5b79dc4bd45df67c9c0c05ff7cd63c/5e0b8/b6a9ffa2065916baf87c718c47f0da8c.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2462-markdown","title":"NFL to Conduct Study on Pain Management and Cannabis","slug":"nfl-to-conduct-study-on-pain-management-and-cannabis","content":"The NFL has recently reached out to the league’s player’s union to ask to conduct a joint study on the efficacy of cannabis on pain management. NFL Executive Vice President of Communications [Joe Lockhart said](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2725016-nfl-reportedly-writes-nflpa-with-offer-to-study-marijuana-for-pain-management) that the NFL \"Can confirm we did reach out to the NFLPA in early July proposing we work together on some research on the impact of marijuana and pain management. While they've acknowledged our letter, we don't yet have a commitment from them to work together on this.” \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe players union has already undertaken a study on pain and cannabis in order to help players deal with the pain management issues that many of them face throughout their careers in the NFL. Though the player’s association has not yet given a response to the NFL on whether or not they would like to merge their studies, they are passionate about looking at cannabis as a possible treatment option for their players. \n\n`embed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YcBN5JHxX9A`\n\nRELATED: [VIEW FILM ON OPIOIDS VS CANNABIS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/57f6a10451768d00075caa7e/hellomd-short-film-on-opioid-abuse-debuts-at-mill-valley-film-festival)\n### Cannabis for Pain Management\n\nIn recent years there have been many debates taking place in the NFL related to medical cannabis use. With many players now living in states where medical cannabis is legal, more are desiring to be able to use it as a medication to control pain stemming from NFL injuries. Currently, no matter what state a player is located in, they face penalties and suspensions for using cannabis. Players are commonly drug tested to see if they are using illicit substances, as well as cannabis. \n\nIn 2014, the league and player’s union came to a new agreement about the levels of THC considered allowed in the drug tests conducted on players. The amount of  THC in a blood or urine sample considered positive for the drug was raised from 15 nanogram per ml of blood or urine up to 35 nanogram of THC per ml. In the fall of 2016, NFL commissioner [Roger Goodell made comments](http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2725016-nfl-reportedly-writes-nflpa-with-offer-to-study-marijuana-for-pain-management) about negotiations and conversations related to cannabis use by NFL players, \"We've had several conversations about this issue and several years ago we did take a less punitive approach to marijuana…That will be one of the subjects in the collective bargaining process, which we'd like to get into sooner rather than later.” \n\nEven more recently, however, [Goodell stated](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/health/nfl-marijuana-stance/index.html) that a change to their cannabis policy, \"Right now, it's not something that we're actively considering. Our doctors are always evaluating that. If they see they can improve our policies or what we can do better to protect our players or help our players, we'll look at it.” These considerations of changes, however fluctuating, to the NFL policy on marijuana have been prompted by the need for more effective forms of pain management for professional football players. \n\n### High Levels of Opioid Abuse\n\nPrevious negotiations of changes to NFL policy, however, have failed, often collapse in the final moments of negotiations. Many former, and a few current, players have come forward to the NFL to make it clear that cannabis could be an effective alternative to opioids that many players turn to. The NFL experiences opioid abuse at very high levels, which partially stems from the commonality of injuries and the importance placed on continuing to play despite pain. A 2011 [study by the Journal of Drug and Alcohol Dependence](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3095672/) found that over a half of retired NFL players took opioid pain killers during their careers and 71% of those who use opioids abused the opioids they take. A specific letter was written to the NFL by eight former and one current player outlining many of the reasons that the NFL should change their stance on the use of medical cannabis. \n\nIn the letter, the players state that, \"cannabis deserves the serious attention of your medical staff as a viable pain management alternative and potential neuroprotectant.” Former Baltimore Ravens player, Eugene Monroe, who recently retied from the NFL, [said](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/health/nfl-marijuana-stance/index.html), \"It's the responsibility of the medical professionals of the NFL to take this issue on and do something to potentially help players safety and help with their long term safety.” Few current players speak out about their opinions on a desire for cannabis policy to change, but Tennessee Titans linebacker Derrick Morgan has been willing to speak out despite the potential for backlash. Morgan has [said](http://www.cnn.com/2016/11/11/health/nfl-marijuana-stance/index.html) that when it comes to pain management,\"We should have all options available to us,\" and thinks that cannabis is an important alternative to harsher medications like opioids. \n\nIt is a great step forward that the NFL is looking into a study about cannabis for pain management, even if they are not immediately considering a policy change, and their desire to partner with the players union shows an interest in the feelings and opinions of the players on the issue. Hopefully this new study will lead to a future where NFL players are able to use cannabis as an effective alternative to opioids to help control their pain. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/14b42/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg","srcSet":"/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/f836f/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg 200w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/2244e/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg 400w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/14b42/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg 800w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/47498/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg 1200w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/54ac5/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/58556/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/61e93/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp 200w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/1f5c5/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp 400w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/58556/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp 800w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/99238/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp 1200w,\n/static/9568ffb5ef81ebdccdef2ac3868d1298/5e0b8/f9d9086447e69279dfcce8a213169a23.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2371-markdown","title":"New Research Proves Marijuana Effectively Controls Chronic Pain ","slug":"new-research-proves-marijuana-effectively-controls-chronic-pain","content":"In a recent comprehensive review of current data on the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids, the [National Academies of Sciences](https://www.uspharmacist.com/article/medical-cannabis-for-chronic-pain) determined that adult patients with chronic pain who were treated with cannabis/cannabinoids were more likely to experience a clinically noteworthy reduction in pain symptoms\n\n![COVID is more and more common as Omicron surges. Cannabis can help with COVID related symptoms.](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_01_12_at_11_53_00_AM_9ec3b90c8f.png)\n\nThese results are consistent with the findings of a [systematic review from Harvard that was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26103031), which also looked at the efficacy of cannabis on chronic pain. The review looked at studies conducted in the years ranging from 1948 to 2015 and found that six out of six general chronic pain studies supported the finding that cannabis led to significant improvements against chronic pain. \n\nRELATED: [HELLOMD STUDY ON CANNABIS, CHRONIC PAIN & OPIOIDS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication)\n\n### Cannabis Effectively Replaces Opioids\n\n[HelloMD in conjunction with UC Berkeley](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication), concluded the largest study done to date on cannabis, chronic pain and opioids. The study, which surveyed thousands of patients from the HelloMD database, shows the overwhelming majority of cannabis patients (92%) prefer using cannabis to opioids when managing their chronic pain. Additionally, 81% “strongly agreed/agreed” that cannabis by itself was more effective than taking cannabis with opioids. The results were similar when using cannabis with non-opiate based pain medications.\n\n![Cannabis can replace opioids](https://hellomd-cms.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2022_01_14_at_8_27_30_AM_a708755839.png)\n\n\nTraditionally, people who suffer from chronic pain have been given large amounts of opioids or high doses of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, which can be addictive and often lead to additional medical problems. In lieu of traditional pharmaceuticals, cannabis is much safer, and it is nearly impossible to overdose.\n\n“Given the safety profile of cannabis compared to opioids, cannabis appears to be far safer,” said Dr. Donald Abrams, professor and Chief of Hematology and Oncology at San Fransisco General Hospital. THC and CBD both aid in reducing pain. THC is a strong analgesic, while CBD helps to reduce inflammation and stop chronic pain at the source. \n\nIf you're new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://hellomd.com/get-started) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.2738853503184713,"src":"/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/ee604/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.png","srcSet":"/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/69585/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.png 200w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/497c6/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.png 400w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/ee604/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.png 800w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/bca7f/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.png 1162w","srcWebp":"/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/58556/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/61e93/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.webp 200w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/1f5c5/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.webp 400w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/58556/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.webp 800w,\n/static/2df6135a9f301ff11f0b87458a914d50/23145/8982bd7b129251e3e68cad0b61641666.webp 1162w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2287-markdown","title":"HelloMD and UC Berkeley Release Study on Cannabis Use as a Substitute for Opioid and Non-Opioid Based Pain Medication","slug":"hellomd-and-uc-berkeley-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opioid-and-non-opioid-based-pain-medication","content":"### Study Introduction\r\n\r\nImportant news for the fight against opioid addiction was announced yesterday, [sharing the results of a landmark new study by HelloMD and UC Berkeley](http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2017.0012), that shows the overwhelming majority of cannabis patients (92%) prefer using cannabis to opioids when managing their chronic pain.  These results may not be surprising to some, but the significant findings take us one big step closer to showing doctors, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders the potential for cannabis to alleviate the opioid crisis our nation is experiencing.  \r\n\r\n[VIEW HELLOMD & UC BERKELEY STUDY RESULTS](http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2017.0012) \r\n\r\n[View the HelloMD Press Release Regarding Landmark Study](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uc-berkeley-and-hellomd-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opiate-and-non-opiate-based-pain-medication-300481006.html)\r\n\r\n### The Opioid Crisis\r\n\r\nDeaths from opioid overdoses have been on an exponential rise since 1999, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Their latest report released in February showed more than 183,000 Americans have died from overdoses related to prescription opioids in the last 16 years, with 91 Americans dying each day.  This number is even larger when we include deaths due to heroin overdose, which caused nearly 13,000 in 2015 alone.  According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), nearly half of young people who inject heroin abused prescription opioids first. \r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/595413ae914ae4001b40307a/embedded_images/595413af914ae4001b40307b/Screen_Shot_2017-06-28_at_1.14.20_PM.png) \r\n\r\nResearchers have already noticed a decline in overdose-related deaths in states where cannabis is medically legal, and the evidence will continue to build as time goes on.  A study published last July by Health Affairs found that a typical physician in a state where medical cannabis is legal prescribed 1,826 fewer painkiller doses in a given year for Medicare patients because seniors chose to treat their pain with medical cannabis.  Researcher and cannabis policy maker Amanda Reiman states, “the treatment of pain has become a politicized business in the United States. The result has been the rapidly rising rate of opioid related overdoses and dependence.”\r\n\r\n### Cannabis Effectively Treats Chronic Pain\r\n\r\nThis past year UC Berkeley partnered with HelloMD to conduct the largest patient survey ever exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for opiate and non-opiate based pain medication.  The significant results support the views that cannabis can and should be considered the primary option for managing chronic pain due to its safety and efficacy.  \r\n\r\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/595413ae914ae4001b40307a/embedded_images/595413b1914ae4001b40307c/Screen_Shot_2017-06-28_at_1.37.04_PM.png) \r\n\r\nThe study was led by a trio of experts in their field:  Amanda Reiman PhD, MSW, of UC Berkeley and the Drug Policy Alliance, Perry Solomon, MD, the Chief Medical Officer of HelloMD, and Mark A. Welty PhD, NCC, LPCC-S, LSW, of Kent State University.   With access to HelloMD’s patient database they were able to mine data from the nation’s largest community of medical cannabis patients.  Surveys were sent out to HelloMD’s entire patient database, and data was collected from close to 3,000 participants.  Patients were asked about their usage of cannabis and how it affected their consumption of opioids. Among the key findings, the study found: \r\n\r\n>* 97% “strongly agreed/agreed” that they could decrease their opioid use when using cannabis\r\n>* 92% “strongly agreed/agreed” that they prefer cannabis to treat their medical condition\r\n>* 81% “strongly agreed/agreed” that cannabis by itself was more effective than taking cannabis with opioids.  The results were similar when using cannabis with non-opiate based pain medications. \r\n\r\n\r\n“The results of our study were striking, showing 97% of people were able to decrease the amount of opioids that they used in conjunction with cannabis use. This was more than double the amount shown in any previous studies conducted,” said Dr. Perry Solomon.  “The latest publication from the National Academy of Sciences clearly showed that chronic pain is one of the medical conditions that cannabis can be used for with great efficacy. Our study not only supports this but also goes further in that the clear majority of patient’s state that they prefer it. Hopefully this will awaken the public, medical professionals and legislatures to the fact that there is a safe, non-addictive product available to help fight the opioid epidemic, and that is cannabis.”\r\n\r\nAmanda Reiman adds, “Cannabis has been used throughout the world for thousands of years to treat pain and other physical and mental health conditions.  Patients have been telling us for decades that this practice is producing better outcomes than the use of opioid based medications. It’s past time for the medical profession to get over their reefer madness and start working with the medical cannabis movement and industry to slow down the destruction being caused by the over prescribing and overuse of opioids.”\r\n\r\n[VIEW HELLOMD & UC BERKELEY STUDY RESULTS](http://online.liebertpub.com/doi/full/10.1089/can.2017.0012) \r\n\r\n[View the HelloMD Press Release Regarding Landmark Study](http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/uc-berkeley-and-hellomd-release-study-on-cannabis-use-as-a-substitute-for-opiate-and-non-opiate-based-pain-medication-300481006.html)","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/14b42/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/f836f/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg 200w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/2244e/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg 400w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/14b42/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg 800w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/47498/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/54ac5/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/58556/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/61e93/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp 200w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/1f5c5/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp 400w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/58556/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp 800w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/99238/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp 1200w,\n/static/a5038c6ae75a18298644e4d11ad85f06/5e0b8/ad1f9129192d77fd1c356a133b9cbe7d.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2437-markdown","title":"Colorado to Use Cannabis Tax Revenue for Opioid Addiction Services","slug":"colorado-to-use-cannabis-tax-revenue-for-opioid-addiction-services","content":"### Colorado Taxes to Pay for Addiction Services\r\n\r\nA new senate bill was signed into law in Colorado that will allow revenue from cannabis sales to go to services to help people addicted to opioids. This new bill is possible due to a [recent revision of state’s statues of taxation of marijuana](http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/politics/colorado-using-marijuana-money-to-implement-opioid-treatment-pilot-program-in-worst-hit-counties), which allow for the proceeds to be used, “[t]o treat and provide related services to people with any type of substance use disorder, including those with co-occurring disorders, or to evaluate the effectiveness and sufficiency of substance use disorder services.” \r\n\r\nThe bill provides a half of a million dollars of cannabis revenue for at least the next two years to go to formulate an effective opioid treatment for people suffering in the state. The number of overdose deaths have doubled in Colorado since 2000 and the state has the second highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the country. \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\nOne of the proponents of the bill, Representative Brittany Pettersen of Lakewood, has been pushing for new movement in the state to fight the opioid epidemic, \"Our state and nation are facing a health crisis and it is imperative we take action to support people who are suffering from this disease…For far too long, these people have been disregarded because of the stigma associated with addiction. But after years of overprescribing, a large portion of the population is addicted to pain pills. Everyone knows someone who is affected, and inaction is not an option,” [said Pettersen](http://gazette.com/colorado-advances-measures-to-step-up-battle-against-opioid-addiction/article/1603635). \r\n\r\n### Helping Communities Hit the Hardest\r\n\r\nThe money set aside for this program will go to the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, which will be responsible for creating the program. The program will be piloted in some of the communities most hurt by opioid addiction, the pilot program will be implemented in Pueblo county in Southern Colorado and Routt county in Northern Colorado. Pueblo county, specifically, holds only 6% of the Colorado population, but experiences 16% of heroine addiction cases. \r\n\r\nSenator Leroy Garcia, a representative from Pueblo believes this bill is a great step towards [fighting opioid addiction](http://gazette.com/colorado-advances-measures-to-step-up-battle-against-opioid-addiction/article/1603635), \"There are many stories I have heard about families and their loved ones that struggle with opioid addiction. In our community of Pueblo, this epidemic has particularly harmed our young people, and are tearing homes apart, but there just aren't enough treatment options available. I know this bill is critical not just for Pueblo and Routt counties, but for all of Colorado, to expand access to treatment so we can take a modest, yet very important step in combating the opioid epidemic.\"\r\n\r\n### Alternative Treatments for Addiction\r\n\r\nThe program will train nurse practitioners and physicians assistants on how to prescribe medications and use alternative treatments for people suffering from opioid addictions. There will be an included addition of behavioral therapy support provided to help local agencies in the counties that are going to be involved in the pilot program. Other organizations can also apply for grants from the College of Nursing for other opioid treatment programs. If these organizations receive grants, then they will be accountable to the College of Nursing, who will then be required to submit reports to the Senate Health Committee and Governor. \r\n\r\nThe bill will be implemented by January of 2018. This bill is complementary to Senate Bill 193 which provides one million dollars in cannabis revenue to go to the University of Colorado Health Science Center for Substance Abuse to provide resources for research. These bills are another major step towards helping people with opioid addiction and demonstrate how cannabis can help raise state revenues to provide funding to programs that are in need of financial support. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/14b42/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg","srcSet":"/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/f836f/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg 200w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/2244e/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg 400w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/14b42/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg 800w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/47498/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg 1200w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/54ac5/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/58556/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/61e93/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp 200w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/1f5c5/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp 400w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/58556/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp 800w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/99238/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp 1200w,\n/static/c8b68fc236493f822eb6cad82b32fc90/5e0b8/90bb67330dbeed42cd76ce34137b9725.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2350-markdown","title":"Colorado to Use Cannabis Tax Revenue for Opioid Addiction Services","slug":"colorado-to-use-cannabis-tax-revenue-for-opioid-addiction-services","content":"### Helping Those Addicted to Opioids\n\nA new senate bill was signed into law in Colorado this past Wednesday will allow revenue from cannabis sales to go services to help people addicted to opioids. This new bill is possible due to a [recent revision of state’s statues of taxation of marijuana](http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/politics/colorado-using-marijuana-money-to-implement-opioid-treatment-pilot-program-in-worst-hit-counties), which allow for the proceeds to be used, “to treat and provide related services to people with any type of substance use disorder, including those with co-occurring disorders, or to evaluate the effectiveness and sufficiency of substance use disorder services.”\n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nThe bill provides a half million dollars of cannabis revenue for at least the next two years to go towards the formulation of an effective opioid treatment for people within the state. The number of overdose deaths have doubled in Colorado since 2000 and the state has the second highest rate of prescription drug abuse in the country. \n\n### A Health Crisis in Motion\n\nA proponent of the bill, [Representative Brittany Pettersen](http://gazette.com/colorado-advances-measures-to-step-up-battle-against-opioid-addiction/article/1603635) of Lakewood, has been pushing for new movement in the state to fight the opioid epidemic, \"Our state and nation are facing a health crisis and it is imperative we take action to support people who are suffering from this disease…For far too long, these people have been disregarded because of the stigma associated with addiction. But after years of overprescribing, a large portion of the population is addicted to pain pills. Everyone knows someone who is affected, and inaction is not an option,” said Pettersen.\n\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA DOES NOT CAUSE OPIOID ADDICTION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58be10c1f1b0a500150a6a5e/marijuana-does-not-cause-opioid-addiction)\n\nThe money set aside for this program will go to the University of Colorado Anschutz College of Nursing, which will be responsible for creating the program. The program will be piloted in communities most affected by opioid addiction. The pilot program will be implemented in Pueblo county in Southern Colorado and Routt county in Northern Colorado. \n\n### Treatment for Those Who Need it Most\n\nPueblo county, specifically, holds only 6% of the Colorado population, but experiences 16% of heroine addiction cases. Senator Leroy Garcia, a representative from Pueblo believes this bill is a great step towards [fighting opioid addiction](http://gazette.com/colorado-advances-measures-to-step-up-battle-against-opioid-addiction/article/1603635), \"There are many stories I have heard about families and their loved ones that struggle with opioid addiction. In our community of Pueblo, this epidemic has particularly harmed our young people, and is tearing homes apart, but there just aren't enough treatment options available. I know this bill is critical not just for Pueblo and Routt counties, but for all of Colorado, to expand access to treatment so we can take a modest, yet very important step in combating the opioid epidemic.\"\n\nThe program will train nurse practitioners and physicians assistants on how to prescribe medications and use alternative treatments for people suffering from opioid addictions. There will be an addition of behavioral therapy support provided to help local agencies in the counties that are going to be involved in the pilot program. Other organizations can also apply for grants from the College of Nursing for other opioid treatment programs. If these organizations receive grants, then they will be accountable to the College of Nursing, who will then be required to submit reports to the Senate Health Committee and Governor. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  \n\nThe bill will be implemented by January of 2018. This bill is complementary to Senate Bill 193 which provides one million dollars in cannabis revenue to go to the University of Colorado Health Science Center for Substance Abuse to provide resources for research. These bills are another major step towards helping people with opioid addiction and demonstrate how cannabis can help raise state revenues to provide funding to programs that are in need of financial support. ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/14b42/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/f836f/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg 200w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/2244e/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg 400w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/14b42/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg 800w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/47498/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/54ac5/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/58556/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/61e93/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp 200w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/1f5c5/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp 400w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/58556/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp 800w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/99238/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp 1200w,\n/static/a2116672157a1dbfd83568c79f197fb6/5e0b8/f08efe43c767778ae4e4f80f8a065de0.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2194-markdown","title":"Marijuana Reduces Addiction to Crack Cocaine","slug":"marijuana-reduces-addiction-to-crack-cocaine","content":"### An Alternative to Opioids\n\nCannabis has been shown as a promising alternative to opioids, and possibly even a way to help people free themselves from the addiction to them. Accessibility to medical cannabis has even been directly correlated to a decrease in opioid use within legal states. For patients with chronic pain, the analgesic effect of cannabis makes it a viable alternative to prescription opioids. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n[As we have previously reported](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/590e55bcb9d7de39077992f0/cannabis-is-successful-as-a-treatment-for-heroin-addiction), CBD in particular may help with addictions to opioids because it reduces the desire for drug seeking behaviors, as seen through a mouse modeled study and anecdotal evidence among humans. \n\n### Cannabis Reduces Addiction to Crack Cocaine\n\nThe endocannabinoid system is deeply connected with how drugs are processed in the human body with established patterns of addiction. A recent [study, published in the journal Addictive Behaviors](https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/cannabis-may-help-wean-people-off-crack-study-finds/article35003184/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&) may show an ability for cannabis to help patients with addictions to crack cocaine. \n\nCrack is a crystalline version of cocaine that is normally found in a powdered form. It is heated and smoked, which produces and extremely potent high far stronger than cocaine. The study out of the British Columbia Center on Substance Abuse, which is based in Vancouver, looked at 122 people. These 122 people featured in the study all consumed crack and were tracked over a three year period. When cannabis was consumed, it was found that overall consumption of crack cocaine was reduced.\n\n\nM.J. Milloy, the senior author of the study and an infectious diseases epidemiologist at the British Columbia Center on Substance Abuse [said about the study](https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/news/british-columbia/cannabis-may-help-wean-people-off-crack-study-finds/article35003184/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&), “\"We're not saying that these results mean everyone will be able to smoke a joint and forget the fact that they are dependent on crack…What our findings do suggest is that cannabinoids might play a role in reducing the harm of crack use for some people.” This study provided similar results to a much smaller study that was conducted in Brazil. The Brazil Study, which only featured 25 people, found that two thirds of those people stopped using crack when they consumed cannabis. \n\n### Mice Modeled Study\n\nAnother [study, which was published in the journal Natural Neuroscience](http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC3164946/) in 2011, was a mouse modeled study that looked at cocaine addiction and cannabis. Though cocaine is slightly different than crack it is essentially a less concentrated version of it. The study conducted by joint researchers from Beijing and Baltimore, looked at mice self administration of cocaine. The researchers intentionally got mice addicted to cocaine and then taught them how to administer it. \n\nSome of the mice were then treated with a synthetic cannabinoid, which reduced their desire for cocaine. The study, though conducted with a different substance, was very similar to the [mouse modeled heroine study](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/590e55bcb9d7de39077992f0/cannabis-is-successful-as-a-treatment-for-heroin-addiction). Another similar study was conducted in Spain in 2005. This [study, which was published in the journal Neuropharmacology](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1574200), looked at how CB1 receptors effect dependency in mice. The study indicated that CB1 receptors are crucial in addiction and self administration desires. \n\n### Cannabis & Addiction\n\nThe issue of crack addiction has been largely overshadowed by the opioid epidemic, and it is important to look at the potential that cannabis has on addiction overall. Crack use is highly tied with other diseases and conditions like HIV and Hep C, so addressing this condition is important to improving the overall health of the crack-addicted population. The idea of using cannabis to treat an addictive condition is still seen as very controversial, but the connection of addiction with the body’s internal endocannabinoid system is becoming increasingly evident. \n\nThough cannabis is not necessarily a cure for crack addiction, it indicates a strong necessity for further study into how cannabis could aid people with crack addiction. Milloy, the author of the British Columbia Center for Substance Abuse study [stated](http://www.cnn.com/2017/05/17/health/addiction-cannabis-harm-reduction/), \"We certainly have no illusions that this is the final word on the matter. Indeed, I think what it really is, it may be a first step…So what we hope is that further study will let us know if it is in fact an effective substitution treatment for crack cocaine use disorder. To that end, we are putting together a clinical trial, which we hope will better test the hypothesis that cannabis could be useful to people who are suffering from this disorder.\" A clinical trial by the center could be the evidence needed to conclusively determine if cannabis could be the key to helping free people from the bonds of crack addiction. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/56201c206430320006bb0000/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/14b42/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg","srcSet":"/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/f836f/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg 200w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/2244e/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg 400w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/14b42/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg 800w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/47498/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg 1200w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/54ac5/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/58556/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/61e93/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp 200w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/1f5c5/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp 400w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/58556/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp 800w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/99238/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp 1200w,\n/static/baa3d9824283d6887bf09d7efc2de4fb/5e0b8/143212bb90c5b87546519e3bc1d5ba00.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2412-markdown","title":"Cannabis is Successful as a Treatment for Heroin Addiction","slug":"cannabis-is-successful-as-a-treatment-for-heroin-addiction","content":"### Heroin Addiction: A Massive Epidemic\r\n\r\nAn opioid epidemic, which includes both over the counter opioids and other opioid derivatives like heroin, has swept across the country in recent years and is now at the top of the list of problems to solve for many states and the federal government. An astounding statistic has been uncovered as well; 80% of patients using heroin reported mis-using over the counter opioids prior to becoming addicted to heroin. Traditional approaches to heroin addiction in rehabilitation centers include behavioral therapies and a variety of medications, which often do not prevent the high number of relapses. \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\nPrescription medications are an integral part of heroin addiction treatment in traditional rehabilitation centers. Medications like methadone and buprenorphine help with withdrawals and cravings and naltrexone helps block opioid receptors. Cannabis is now seen as a possible replacement for the harsher medications that ease people off heroin by reducing withdrawal symptoms and helping people control underlying conditions that brought them to use opioids in the first place. \r\n\r\n### Cannabis Used to Treat Opioid Addiction Successfully\r\n\r\nA [2014 study published in the journal JAMA](http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1898878) found a 25% drop in opioid overdose deaths in states that have legalized medical marijuana. The study looked at all 50 states between the years 1999 and 2010 and showed great promise for the ability of cannabis to become an alternative to opioids. \r\n\r\nRELATED: [MARIJUANA DOES NOT CAUSE OPIOID ADDICTION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/marijuana-does-not-cause-opioid-addiction)\r\n\r\nSome doctors are now looking at how cannabis could help their patients who are addicted to opioids. Dr. Gary Witman, of CannaCare Docs in New England became one of the first to widely publicize the idea of using cannabis to help people with opioid addictions. The Massachusetts clinic where Dr. Witman is employed has treated 80 patients who suffer from pharmaceutical addictions. The one-month rehabilitation program proved successful for 75% of the patients in the study. \r\n\r\n### CBD a Preventative Key\r\n\r\nThough the evidence in the study conducted by Witman is only anecdotal, and looked at pharmaceutical opioids instead of heroin, it does demonstrate that cannabis may be able to help people find relief from their addictions. A rat modeled [study from 2009 that was published in the Journal of Neuroscience](http://www.jneurosci.org/content/29/47/14764?maxtoshow=&HITS=10&hits=10&RESULTFORMAT=&author1=Whittard&fulltext=cannabidiol&andorexactfulltext=and&searchid=1&FIRSTINDEX=0&sortspec=relevance&resourcetype=HWCIT) looked at the effects of CBD on heroin self administration and drug seeking behavior. Rats who were self dosing heroin, through a signaling system that prompted them to release heroin by pressing a button, did not stop heroin usage when given CBD (cannabidiol). \r\n\r\nWhat is remarkable however, is that rats who were in active recovery from heroin for two weeks and were dosed CBD, did not seek heroin when they were signaled. The study’s researchers concluded that,“CBD may be a potential treatment for heroin craving and relapse.” Though the study was rat modeled and very preliminary, it does show that cannabis has great promise as a treatment for heroin addiction. \r\n\r\n### The Endocannabinoid System and Addiction\r\n\r\nTHC also has the potential to help people with withdrawal symptoms as people are recovering from heroin addiction. The endocannabinoid system is strongly linked with the way opioids are processed and how they signal dependence. A [study from Drug and Alcohol Dependence](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26187456) in 2015 looked at the effects of Dronabinol, a synthetic form of THC, on the severity of opioid withdrawals. The study found that, “Dronabinol reduced the severity of opiate withdrawal during acute detoxification”.  Since THC interacts with the body in the same way as Dronabinol, cannabis may also be extremely effective at helping decrease the severity of withdrawal symptoms for patients. \r\n\r\nThough there are some gaps in professional research on the issue of cannabis being used to help people with heroin addiction, cannabis may be an extremely effective alternative to the medications already used to help people rid themselves of heroin addiction. Not to mention, cannabis has a great potential to replace the need for opioids because of its potent analgesic qualities. Though some researchers are skeptical of the possibility of cannabis as an effective part of heroin addiction treatment, a new treatment center in Los Angeles is now capitalizing on the idea. \r\n\r\n### Cannabis has no Lethal Dose\r\n\r\nThe High Sobriety treatment center focuses on “cannabis inclusive treatment” for people with all kinds of addictions, ranging from alcohol to heroin. High sobriety helps people detox from harsh drugs with the alternative of cannabis. [High Sobriety](http://www.laweekly.com/news/new-rehab-will-treat-drug-addiction-with-marijuana-7843077) describes their goal as to, “eliminate the risk of death from drug use. \r\n\r\nCocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, pharmaceuticals and other street drugs all have a lethal dose. Leading the death toll though, and killing more than all others combined, is alcohol. Cannabis has no known lethal dose. There is a simple truth; eliminating drugs with a lethal dose and using a drug with no lethal dose is a massive improvement, and will save lives. For generations we have been told that cannabis is a “gateway” drug, at High Sobriety, we believe it is an exit drug.”\r\n\r\n### A Controversial Subject\r\nThe center was founded by Joe Schrank, a recovered addict and drug treatment counselor who has worked at many different treatment centers throughout his life. Though the idea of using cannabis at a treatment center is still controversial, the center believes that cannabis can aid people with detoxification and can be an integral part of recovery.\r\n\r\nJoe Shrank says, “Our cannabis replacement protocol is in full compliance with law and under medical supervision. Cannabis is used for a variety of medical conditions as both treatment and symptomatic care. Cannabis can aid in the detox process, helping with discomfort, insomnia, and flu-like symptoms associated with the withdrawal process, reducing or eliminating the need for other drugs. After the initial detox, our doctor will provide a comprehensive and collaborative evaluation to determine an individual’s goals for recovery. The determination of how cannabis is used is ultimately made by the doctor, like any other medication. Post detox, cannabis continues to be an option under medical supervision.” \r\n\r\nHigh Sobriety will become an interesting study for how cannabis could aid people with a variety of addictions, including addictions to heroin, which are becoming an increasingly larger problem across the country and world. The detoxification potential of cannabis should not be ignored and hopefully all of the new information on the issue will prompt more studies that could potentially lead to life saving information for millions of people. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.  ","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/14b42/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg","srcSet":"/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/f836f/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg 200w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/2244e/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg 400w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/14b42/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg 800w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/47498/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg 1200w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/54ac5/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/58556/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/61e93/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp 200w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/1f5c5/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp 400w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/58556/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp 800w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/99238/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp 1200w,\n/static/a63db0d17ed6494a42c2899b2b841035/5e0b8/b3ae0198927466d455159c5f8e67e6eb.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2400-markdown","title":"Dr. Perry Solomon: My Cannabis Experience at SXSW 2017","slug":"dr-perry-solomon-my-cannabis-experience-at-sxsw-2017","content":"### SXSW Invites Cannabis in the Door\n\nSouth by Southwest, long a place for film and music, has opened the door for cannabis! Texas is still Texas, it has still not seen the light and legalized medicinal or adult use of cannabis. However, SXSW thought it of interest to include a series of educational and informative sessions on cannabis and included numerous Q & A panels for their attendees.\n\nHelloMD was asked to participate on a panel called ‘Cannabis for Treatment of Injuries and Illness’, a topic which related to the use of cannabis for various medical conditions, as well as pain and opioids. I was honored to be asked to participate and share my viewpoint. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\n### Cannabis for Treatment of Injuries and Illness\n\nOn the panel with me were Seibo Shen the Founder and CEO of VapeXhale, Hugh Hempel the Co-Founder and CEO of Strainz and Debra Miran, a cannabis activist and former member of Maryland Cannabis Commission.\n\nSeibo Shen, a world class martial arts expert, spoke about using cannabis to help his focus, training and get into the flow of the match and how he helps other athletes do the same. He is becoming a well known vocal advocate on reducing the stigma surrounding the use of cannabis for this reason.\n\nHugh Hempel came to the cannabis industry by necessity. His twin daughters have an extremely rare genetic disorder called Niemann-Pick disease. At the time he and his wife Chris found out, there was no medication available for them to use. \n\nRELATED: [HELLOMD'S PAMELA HADFIELD ON TECHTONICS PODCAST](https://hellomd.com/health-wellness/58b7638955400d001339b427/hellomds-pamela-hadfield-on-tech-tonics-podcast)\n\nHugh and Chris, did something no one thought possible and were successful in pushing through approval of an “experimental” drug to help their daughters. However, they still suffered from seizures. Eventually they found cannabis, which helped reduce the seizures. As a result, they began processing their own special formulations of oil which worked better than any pharmaceutical they had tried. They started an extraction company called Strainz, which is now in three states. Hugh is a tremendous cannabis activist who has told his story in an incredibly moving TED talk.\n\nDebra Miren was a member of the Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission from 2013-2016. She speaks all over the country on cannabis regulations to various groups and legislatures to help them craft rational cannabis laws. Her perspective from the legislation side as well as within the endocannabinoid system discussion, was very well received by the audience. What I found interesting was that about half the audience was familiar with endocannabinoids, a far higher percentage than I would have imagined.\n\nOn the panel, my comments focused on the genesis of HelloMD, our community of members, our Answers platform and how we use Telehealth to perform remote cannabis evaluations on patients from all over California to increase access to medicinal cannabis. \n\nCalifornia is very unique not only by increasing access to cannabis (verses all other states in the country), but by also allowing remote evaluations online. When the audience heard that Telemedicine was used for cannabis consultations in the state of California, the universal reaction seemed to be, “when can we do that in our state?” \n\n### UC Berkeley & HelloMD Patient Study Results\n\nFor the first time I revealed the general results of our Berkeley-HelloMD pain survey, which is about to be published publicly. The study shows that the overwhelming majority of patients preferred cannabis to opioid and non-opioid pain relievers and had far fewer side effects. \n\nA key finding was the overwhelming number of people who were able to decrease their opioid use by using cannabis! (specific numbers will be within the upcoming published article). Any decrease of the 33,091 deaths reported in 2015 from prescription opioids would be something to embrace, but the numbers that we will show are truly remarkable. \n\n### Hemp Based CBD\n\nWhile touring the vast convention floor where VR and tech was king, I was somewhat surprised to see several CBD only booths. These were all hemp extracts by companies such as Charlotte’s Web, among others. All of these booths were packed by people who were curious about CBD and what medicinal benefits it had. There have been rumblings of hemp also being looked at as illegal to ship across state lines, but these companies seem to be thriving.\n\nSince only 29 states and DC have medicinal cannabis legislation in place, these companies are serving the huge market of people who cannot obtain cannabis products with a THC content about 0.3%, but can received hemp CBD in any state. Whether it shows the wave of the future for cannabis I cannot say. Only that there is a thirst for knowledge about all types of cannabis and the effects that it has on your health and wellness.\n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \n\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.3333333333333333,"src":"/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/14b42/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg","srcSet":"/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/f836f/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg 200w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/2244e/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg 400w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/14b42/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg 800w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/47498/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg 1200w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/54ac5/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.jpg 1365w","srcWebp":"/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/58556/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/61e93/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp 200w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/1f5c5/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp 400w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/58556/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp 800w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/99238/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp 1200w,\n/static/3646db65c868f1e336c167db780fb84c/5e0b8/e4a3cdbb59c0bcea4d5acff32839d2e6.webp 1365w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2423-markdown","title":"Science Backs Cannabis as a Replacement to Opioids","slug":"science-backs-cannabis-as-a-replacement-to-opioids","content":"### Marijuana is a Valid Alternative to Opioids\r\n \r\nOne of the most challenging problems facing the United States right now is the rampant opioid epidemic. Sadly, we are constantly bombarded by reports of more peoples who’s lives are taken by opioid addictions and untimely overdoses. Addiction is a hard habit to break, especially when that addiction is caused by a legal prescription in the first place. One of the ways that medical marijuana could benefit the United States greatly is as an alternative for opioids during the treatment of conditions like chronic pain. \r\n\r\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\r\n\r\n### Sessions States Cannabis is Not a Solution\r\n\r\nJeff Sessions, the current Attorney General of the United States, has always been a vocal opponent of marijuana and the ability for cannabis to possibly help alleviate the country’s opioid epidemic is something that he may be unwilling to accept. Sessions has stated that he believes cannabis will not benefit people who abuse opioids by stating, \r\n\r\n>“Marijuana is a cure for opiate abuse. Give me a break. This is the kind of argument that's been made out there to just — almost a desperate attempt to defend the harmlessness of marijuana or even its benefits. I doubt that's true. Maybe science will prove I'm wrong.” \r\n\r\nWell, it seems that science is proving Attorney General Sessions wrong, in more way than one. \r\n\r\nRELATED:[MARIJUANA DOES NOT CAUSE OPIOID ADDICTION](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/marijuana-does-not-cause-opioid-addiction)\r\n\r\nThough Session’s statement may seem brash and radical, the government’s recent decision not to reclassify marijuana as a Schedule II substance means that they also still believe that cannabis has no medical efficacy whatsoever. Yet, by choosing not to reclassify marijuana, the federal government is completely ignoring a series of studies and scientific information that proves its medical efficacy. Cannabis could be one of the best tools to stop the opioid epidemic due to its ability to replace opioids or reduce the amount of opioids necessary to help people. \r\n\r\n### Cannabis Treats Chronic Pain Effectively\r\n\r\nOne of the most common uses of opioids is to treat chronic pain, which often causes opioid addiction due to a doctor’s prescription to treat the chronic condition in the first place. There are many different studies that support medical marijuana’s efficacy for chronic pain. In January of this year, the [National Academy of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine Report surveyed](http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?RecordID=24625&_ga=1.198930671.1791292794.1484233196) 10,000 studies conducted since 1999 and came to 100 conclusions about the benefits and uses of medical marijuana. The review found numerous therapeutic effects of cannabis, on everything from mental health to cancer to pain. In relation to pain specifically, patients treated with cannabis experienced a significant reduction of pain while using marijuana, as well as an increase in immune system benefits. \r\n\r\nA [study from the Journal of Pain](http://www.jpain.org/article/S1526-5900(16)00567-8/abstract) in 2016 found that people who had access to medical marijuana were 64% less likely to use opioids. Patients having access to medical marijuana alone made them less likely to use opioids. The study looked at 244 different medical patients and cannabis use was associated with a better quality of life, fewer medication being used, and less side effects being experienced from those medications. \r\n\r\n### Opioid Use Decreases in Legal States\r\n\r\nThis is consistent with other studies that have found that opioid use actually decreases in states that have legalized medical marijuana. A [Health Affairs study](http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/35/7/1230) published in 2016 found that in states with access to medical marijuana there was a decreased number of prescriptions by Medicare Part D recipients after the implementation of legalization. The availability of medical marijuana greatly changed the amount of prescriptions that patients were being prescribed and/or requesting for conditions for which medical marijuana was a viable alternative treatment. \r\n\r\nStates with medical cannabis have also reported fewer opioid related deaths. A [study from 2014, published in JAMA](http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1898878) , looked at marijuana laws and opioid related deaths between 1999 and 2010. In that time, there were 25% fewer deaths in states where medical marijuana was accessible. Each year since the passing of medical marijuana legislation served to produce a greater decrease in opioid related deaths. The study was observational, but it showed a very positive trend in relation to the benefits that cannabis could provide. \r\n\r\n### Patients with Pain Want to Use Cannabis\r\n\r\nPatients with chronic pain will often choose cannabis over prescription opioids if given the choice. A recent [study published in February](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/02/170227100727.htm) of this year from the University of British Colombia and the University of Victoria found that patients who had access to legal cannabis and legal prescription opioids chose cannabis 63% of the time. The study included 250 different patients with both chronic pain and mental health conditions. The co-author of the study, associate professor Zach Walsh said that cannabis may be able to reduce the problematic use of prescription medications. \r\n\r\nLastly, a recent study down by HelloMD in conjunction with UC Berkeley found that over 95% of patients who used cannabis in conjunction with chronic pain either reduced their opioid intake or eliminated it altogether. This study, to be published soon, was conducted with 3,000 cannabis patients who had chronic pain.\r\n\r\n### You Can't Overdose on Cannabis\r\n\r\nIn thousands of year of use, there have been no reported deaths associated with cannabis. Marijuana is also far less habit forming than opioids and far less addictive. A [paper published by the National Bureau of Economic Research](http://www.nber.org/papers/w21345) first published in July of 2015 found that, “states permitting medical marijuana dispensaries experience a relative decrease in both opioid addictions and opioid overdose deaths compared to states that do not”. \r\n\r\nThe access to medical marijuana could be exactly what the nation needs to reduce opioid addiction. All of these scientific studies show that marijuana can, in fact, help to combat the opioid epidemic and aid the country in reducing its opioid consumption by providing a viable alternative medication for patients suffering from a variety of conditions. \r\n\r\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient. \r\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/jpeg;base64,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","aspectRatio":1.342281879194631,"src":"/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/14b42/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg","srcSet":"/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/f836f/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg 200w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/2244e/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg 400w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/14b42/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg 800w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/47498/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg 1200w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/3a12e/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.jpg 1375w","srcWebp":"/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/58556/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/61e93/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp 200w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/1f5c5/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp 400w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/58556/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp 800w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/99238/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp 1200w,\n/static/301a7bf5fa4fecbf9af535f8b8cc617c/b5697/14e9a0e5f14416d30f404a9a251f8f62.webp 1375w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2241-markdown","title":"Marijuana Does Not Cause Opioid Addiction","slug":"marijuana-does-not-cause-opioid-addiction","content":"###  Opioid Addiction Is Not Caused by Cannabis\n\nThe White House has been vocal regarding cannabis in the last couple of weeks. White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer recently tied the use of recreational marijuana with opioid addiction in a completely false and unfounded statement. Spicer accompanied this statement with a call for the greater enforcement of federal marijuana laws, especially in relation to states that have legalized recreational cannabis. \n\nFOLLOW US ON [FACEBOOK](https://www.facebook.com/pg/hellomdcompany/posts/) & [INSTAGRAM](https://www.instagram.com/hellomd_com/?hl=en)\n\nSpicer is right, opioid addiction is currently one of the largest problems in the United States. In 2015, nearly 33,000 people died from opioid related overdoses, be that prescription opioids or heroine-like opioid substances. However, Spicer’s connection between recreational cannabis legalization and opioid addiction is unfounded and careless. It also obfuscates takes the real problem at hand. The reality is that increased opioid consumption and overdoses are due to improper prescription writing and shady pharmacies that dole out extremely high numbers of opioid pain killers. Spicer’s misinformation could lead to more widespread misunderstandings about opioid addiction as well as cannabis consumption, which make the opioid epidemic even harder to combat. \n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/58be10c1f1b0a500150a6a5e/embedded_images/58be10c3f1b0a500150a6a5f/Screen_Shot_2017-03-06_at_5.42.09_PM.png)\nThere is no research that ties marijuana use to the opioid addiction.\n \n###  Marijuana Is Not a Gateway Drug\n\nSpicer believes that not “enforcing” marijuana laws is encouraging people to use illicit drugs, which is far from the truth. His outlandish statements connecting cannabis and opioids appear to be linked to the widely disproved gateway theory that many anti-marijuana advocates, including current attorney general Jeff Sessions, use to support their crusades. Marijuana, however, is far different than opioids, it has been disproven to be a gateway drug and there is no scientific backing for the connection that Sean Spicer has implied. \n\nRELATED: [KEEP YOUR MEDICINE LEGAL & PREVENT A CRACKDOWN](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58b36f8e54073f000ff5aee8/keep-your-medicine-legal-and-prevent-a-crackdown-on-rec)\n\n### Lawmakers Speak Out\n\nLuckily, many other law markers have spoken out against the words of Spicer. Washington’s Attorney General, Bob Ferguson, wrote a letter to the Department of Justice stating that the opioid crisis, “will not be helped by a renewed law enforcement focus on marijuana.” Ferguson also mentioned that he hopes the federal government will work more closely with states to help alleviate the opioid problem, rather than working independently or leaving it up to the states alone. \n\nFerguson isn't the only law maker that has spoken out against Spicer. California Lieutenant Governor, Gavin Newsom, has said that Spicer is largely misinformed on cannabis as well as the opioid epidemic. Newsom stated that legal marijuana operations keep cannabis out of the hands of drug cartels and under the control of government supervision, which will reduce crime overall. He also mentioned that the new recreational market in California will include a plethora of protections, including lab testing and seed to sale tracking, in order to better protect people. He also stated that the federal government should not remove its support from laws that has been voted in by citizens of a state. \n\n### Opioid Use Goes Down In Legal States\n\nDespite Spicer’s misinformation, opioid use is actually going down in states with access to medical marijuana. HelloMD recently conducted a study with UC Berkeley on opioids, cannabis and pain and found that over 90% of people on pain medication decreased their consumption of opioids when cannabis was added into their treatment protocol (results to be published soon). Another [study from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/287489) found that 18 states with medical marijuana laws saw a decreased involvement of opioids in fatal car crashes since legalization. Another study published in 2014, from the [Journal of American Medical Association](http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1898878), found a 25% lower opioid overdose rate in states with medical cannabis laws. Some states, like Maine, are even working on laws specific for the use of medical marijuana rot help people come down from opioid addiction. \n\nRELATED: [WHY MY PATIENTS PREFER CANNABIS OVER OPIOIDS](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/58b4d1f8afae7a000f75a4ba/why-my-surgical-patients-prefer-cannabis-over-opioids)\n\n### Trump Historically Supports Medical Marijuana\n\nOne notable spot in all of the misinformation by Spicer, however, was his clarification on President Donald Trump’s support for medical marijuana. Spicer made it clear that medical marijuana and recreational marijuana were two different subject matters and that these new enforcements would not relate to medical marijuana use, which we know is extremely important to bettering the lives of so many people. None the less, Spicer’s comments only serve to enforce the agenda of anti-marijuana advocates who advertise false information to support their cause. \n\nIf you are new to cannabis and want to learn more, take a look at our [Cannabis 101](https://www.hellomd.com/health-wellness/cannabis-101-your-quick-guide-to-medical-marijuana) post. [HelloMD](https://www.hellomd.com/) can help you get your medical marijuana recommendation; it's 100% online, private and efficient.\n","image":{"childImageSharp":{"fluid":{"base64":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAABQAAAAOCAIAAACgpqunAAAACXBIWXMAAAsTAAALEwEAmpwYAAACf0lEQVQoz3VTS2sTURi9WqFNmkzmkVeb2FbwUVEXrtyL7SYqgkWsG3FTRKkaXIiixUdBmxRbaIgRtAoqiqg0VEEt1LRJsEkmmVdmMq9Mmkn7P/ySVAwpHs5m7r3nO99rUD6fLxQKLMtyHMfznCDwiqLGv3wOjl8JhUOSLCv/B2IYBmSCIBQBQhEep9OpiZvXRgPDgWNHP8y/qJqmqijaNqiqippKURRBWypJtc3N5NLPN/dvL8w8fncvuDAfq25s6JpWboH+F2jLsyhCJLh4NPlk8sEs+/HTcvTp1OWL6V/LZq0G50bFqLNstIbYEkMaicTq0PAZ3OH1DxwOP4zOjY+9fxapVk14ZAAqFWCbP+IbYlmWA6fO2bBen38fRbpx9+Dps2MVQysbdSujbmm0pa3pZQTtAtt4fLFv4EjfwCG3Z7fL7SfJHt/g8e8/lmo1E8rRt0HTdDhGMKqyob96/bbHdxDEDtxFUl6Xy2t19N+ZCG1umJCU2g5NASoaytG0pmux5y/d3v3+vgM2O4ETLpJw7uwkrwbv1syKJMGw/6ExYFVWtJKsomw2q6rKXCTmdO/19uyxWjHM4bTbcIR2hKdn1tfXeZ6XWlAqyUCpQbS2loGv6elZguqHarttOEF6MIxCqGMuEtX1coFhhDqKDcJClERJbhKl0r95oXj9xi3C2U86e0EMNQNBPDJyHtYml8vBFjJsfYNZTuB52EOpSbSymsoX2NELlzDChxMeazduxyiL1dGxq5OiPItfv0FHM5kMTdONv4BlOJ7lirwgAlFiJZnJ0ieGTmK41445rTYcau6yYF0WO0IoNBWm83QymYTqoDu5HERgCkwjBUH8AyOLGmMwzxR9AAAAAElFTkSuQmCC","aspectRatio":1.408450704225352,"src":"/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/ee604/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png","srcSet":"/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/69585/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png 200w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/497c6/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png 400w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/ee604/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png 800w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/f3583/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png 1200w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/3e14d/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.png 1442w","srcWebp":"/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/58556/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp","srcSetWebp":"/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/61e93/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp 200w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/1f5c5/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp 400w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/58556/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp 800w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/99238/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp 1200w,\n/static/e6eb559441d6c6bc78dc961678d48b4d/df9dc/363d460adaf5adee8927351bf6cbc155.webp 1442w","sizes":"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px"}}}}},{"node":{"id":"Article_2383-markdown","title":"HelloMD's Pamela Hadfield on Tech Tonics Podcast","slug":"hellomds-pamela-hadfield-on-tech-tonics-podcast","content":"Lisa Suennen, the creator of the blog [Venture Valkrie](http://venturevalkyrie.com), and David Shaywitz are the hosts of the wildly popular 'Tech Tonics, the Podcast'.  As stated on their site, \"Tech Tonics, the Podcast is focused on bringing to life the people and passion at the intersection of technology and health.\" \n\nPODCAST LINK: You can find our [Tech Tonics podcast on Connected Social media](http://connectedsocialmedia.com/category/tech-tonics/) or [listen to it on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-tonics/id959413013?mt=2).\n\nLisa and David recently interviewed Pamela Hadfield the Co Founder of HelloMD. Marijuana, for sure, is a further afield topic for Tech Tonics and some might even say controversial. During this episode entitled [\"The Intersection between Medicine and Marijuana\"](http://venturevalkyrie.com/new-tech-tonics-podcast-pamela-hadfield-on-entrepreneurship-at-intersection-of-medicine-and-marijuana/), Pamela discusses why she thinks cannabis is one of healthcare's biggest disruptors, how the cannabis industry is changing medicine and, interestingly, how working in this field can affect friendships and acceptance in the entrepreneurial community, not to mention what you tell your children at the dinner table.  \n\nYou can listen to Pamela's interview by clicking below or [find it on iTunes](https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/tech-tonics/id959413013?mt=2) or on the [Connected Social Media](http://connectedsocialmedia.com/category/tech-tonics/).\n\n![](https://hellomd-production.s3.amazonaws.com/articles/58b7638955400d001339b427/embedded_images/58b7638b55400d001339b428/Screen_Shot_2017-03-01_at_4.09.23_PM.png)\nLisa Suennen and David Shaywitz at work at the [Tech Tonics podcast](http://venturevalkyrie.com/the-tech-tonics-podcast/). 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