A recent study published in the journal JAMA Network Open has revealed that medical marijuana may help reduce opioid use among patients with chronic pain. The research, conducted by scientists at the University of Michigan, found that patients who used medical cannabis reported a 73% reduction in opioid use over a six-month period.

The study involved 1,724 participants with chronic pain conditions who were registered in Michigan’s medical marijuana program. Researchers observed significant improvements in pain severity, physical function, and sleep quality among the participants.

While these findings are promising, experts caution that more research is needed to fully understand the long-term effects and potential risks of medical marijuana use. Nevertheless, this study adds to the growing body of evidence suggesting that cannabis could play a role in addressing the opioid crisis and providing alternative pain management options for patients with chronic conditions.