Legalizing cannabis could help reduce opioid use: experts
OTTAWA — Leading medical experts say legalizing cannabis may offer new hope to one day reduce the use of opioids —powerful drugs frequently prescribed for the treatment of pain.
Dr. Mark Ware, a globally recognized researcher and the vice-chair of the federal government’s task force on legalizing marijuana, says a legal framework for cannabis will help to facilitate further research.
He said published scientific research already suggests cannabinoid molecules interact with the brain in a way that has an important “synergy” with how opioids interact with receptors in the body.
“This appears to be a very profound affect,” he said. “Research suggests there are important interactions between the two systems.”