{"id":1773,"date":"2017-12-31T00:23:52","date_gmt":"2017-12-31T00:23:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/cbd\/cannabis-as-an-alternative-to-opioids"},"modified":"2026-02-22T14:52:04","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T14:52:04","slug":"cannabis-alternative-to-opioids","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/weedmaps.com\/learn\/cannabis-and-your-body\/cannabis-alternative-to-opioids","title":{"rendered":"Cannabis as an alternative to opioids"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\tHow cannabis can combat addiction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The opioid epidemic is arguably the greatest health-care crisis of the 21st century. In 2015 alone, its economic cost in the United States was estimated at more than<\/span> $500 billion<\/span><\/a>, largely driven by health-care costs, criminal justice expenses, and lost productivity. This crisis has brought more attention to the growing collection of research examining the relationship between <\/span>cannabis and opiates<\/span>, particularly when it comes to reducing opioid dependence in patients. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The magnitude and indiscriminately mortal nature of this crisis are unprecedented. For the first time in U.S. history, drug overdoses are killing more people than gun violence or motor vehicle accidents. In fact, <\/span>91 Americans die<\/span><\/a> from an opioid overdose each day, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These fatalities are tragic enough, but the residual effects on surviving children, family members, and communities are no less devastating.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t\t

\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"pill\n\t\t\t<\/a>Photo by: Gina Coleman\/Weedmaps<\/cite>
The opioid crisis has brought more attention to the growing collection of research examining the relationship between cannabis and opiates, particularly when it comes to reducing opioid dependence in patients.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t\t\t