Big Pharma should be very scared now that 33 states have some form of medical cannabis. As it turns out, patients, when given the choice, will reach for cannabis over prescribed opioids. Chronic pain sufferers would rather turn to cannabis instead of their prescribed opioid medication, according to research by the University of British Columbia and University of Victoria.
In a study tracking medical cannabis use under a system of licensed producers, meaning that all participants had physician authorization to access cannabis in addition to their prescription medicines, 63% of respondents reported using cannabis instead of their prescription drugs, which included opioids (to treat pain), benzodiazepines (sedatives), and anti-depressants.
The main reasons for the switch to cannabis from prescribed meds are reduced side effects, better symptom management, and a feeling that cannabis is safer than prescription drugs.
It’s time to start shorting Big Pharma stocks.
Philippe Lucas, Zach Walsh. Medical cannabis access, use, and substitution for prescription opioids and other substances: A survey of authorized medical cannabis patients. International Journal of Drug Policy, 2017; 42: 30
