Medical Marijuana as an Alternative to Opioids

The opioid epidemic is a national public health emergency and at the forefront of major public health initiatives. In the United States, an average of 130 people lose their lives every day to a drug overdose. In 2017, 70,237 drug overdose deaths occurred in the United States, which was a 9.6% increase from 2016. Chronic pain is among the most common reasons for opioid prescriptions as well as medical marijuana prescriptions. Since 1996, 33 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws legalizing medical marijuana. Medical marijuana is gaining popularity as a safer and effective alternative for opioids in patients with chronic pain. While many people die from opioid overdose deaths, a fatal overdose from medical marijuana is unlikely. Revisions: the revisions to this paper include appropriate margin format and addition of the side effects of cannabis