US researchers have found demand for prescription codeine declines in states where adult-use cannabis is legal.
The team analysed Drug Enforcement Administration data tracking the flow of controlled substances in the country.
They found a 26% reduction in pharmacy-based distribution of codeine in states where recreational cannabis is legal, rising as high as 37% once those laws have been in effect for four years.
Significantly, there was little impact on codeine distribution by hospitals, which often have stricter policies than pharmacies.
And in contrast to a recent study tracking opioid use in states with medicinal cannabis programs, there appeared to be minimal impact on the distribution of opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone and morphine.
Senior author Coleman Drake from the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health said: “Where previous studies have focused on more potent opioids, codeine is a weaker drug with a higher potential for addiction.
“It indicates people may be obtaining codeine from pharmacies for misuse, and that recreational cannabis laws reduce this illicit demand.”
The misuse of prescription opioids contribute to thousands of overdose deaths in the US every year.
Lead author Shyam Raman from the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy added: “A reduction in the misuse of opioids will save lives.
“Our research indicates that recreational cannabis laws substantially reduce distribution of codeine to pharmacies, an overlooked potential benefit to legalising recreational cannabis use.”
Meanwhile, the US Virgin Islands has authorised recreational and sacramental use for adults aged 21-plus with plans to expunge the records of eligible people previously convicted of simple possession.
The territory approved medicinal use in 2019.
