Cannabis can benefit patients with opioid addiction by reducing cravings and alleviating the symptoms typically experienced when opioids are reduced – anxiety, pain, muscle spasticity, and nausea.

For patients who have escalated their opiate doses for pain relief, there is a synergistic effect when cannabis is used that almost immediately results in a 50-75% reduction in the opiate dose required to relieve their pain.

While it is true that some people may become dependent of cannabis, we are reducing harm by introducing a substance that does not kill. By doing so, the patient is much more likely to survive, and may eventually recover.

While cannabis might not be the answer to opioid use disorder, it has been found to be beneficial in reducing opiate doses, decreasing or eliminating symptoms of withdrawal, and being a much safer alternative.