VIDEO: Frontline expert sees ‘parallels’ between medicinal cannabis and opioid epidemic

Today’s cannabis comes at a much higher potency level than that grown just 10 or 20 years ago, and with increased potency comes higher risk, according to a speaker at the Osteopathic Medical Education Conference.

“I have had a front-row seat to the worst addiction epidemic this nation has ever seen,” James H. Berry, DO, associate professor and chair of the department of behavioral medicine and psychiatry at West Virginia University School of Medicine’s Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, told Healio.

“During the early 2000s, I happened to be [in West Virginia] and watched the epidemic unfold, fueled largely by prescription pain medication,” he added. “Sadly, I see a number of the same parallels that are occurring today with claims that are being made regarding cannabis and the access centered around cannabis is very similar to what I saw unfold around the pain pill epidemic.”

Much of the discussion of the potential benefits regarding medicinal use of cannabis are being driven by commercial entities while neglecting to acknowledge the risks associated with chronic use of the drug, Berry said.

The potential risks, especially among younger users, include increases in suicides, major depression and psychosis, he noted.

Berry goes on to highlight issues regarding cannabis potency, validating research about a particular product a patient may want to use and how to communicate risks vs. benefits of medicinal cannabis use with patients interested in applying for a medical card.

Reference :

• Berry JH. Avoiding potholes: Navigating the cautionary trail of cannabis. Presented at OMED; Sept. 20-22.