Cannabis News
States That Legalize Medical Marijuana Have Significantly Lower Health Insurance Premiums Than Non-Legal States
According to a recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, states that had legalized medicinal marijuana saw significant drops in health insurance costs compared to those where cannabis remained completely illegal.
The authors determined that once a state passed a medical cannabis law, there were significant decreases in insurance premiums over the following years by looking at 10 years’ worth of private health insurance data obtained from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Sustained Premium Reductions Over Time in Legalized Medical Marijuana States
Although the decreases were modest in the initial period following enactment, the research revealed that by the seventh year after that, yearly premiums had decreased by $1,663 compared to control group states. Comparable declines were observed after eight years ($1,542) and nine years ($1,626), indicating a consistent and enduring decline over time.
The study’s authors conclude that “even though the impact only becomes evident after seven years from the enactment of medical cannabis laws, there exists a notable and substantial decrease in health insurance premiums” in states that legalize medical marijuana.
“Given the framework of insurance pooling and community rating,” they note, “these savings are beneficial for both cannabis consumers and non-consumers alike.” The authors highlight that the findings dispel worries that legalization could raise healthcare expenses. They stated that the initial apprehensions about the legalization of medical cannabis causing an upsurge in medical care costs, leading to higher insurance premiums, seem to lack basis.
The researchers specifically focused on individual private health plans, excluding employer-sponsored insurance or Medicaid. The study emphasizes that health insurance expenditures range from 16% to 34% of the average household budget in the United States.
To accommodate multiple variables, the researchers focused on states where exclusively medical marijuana had been legalized, excluding states with existing adult-use legalization from their analysis. Meanwhile, the control group consisted of states lacking medical cannabis laws and those that had enacted such legislation but hadn’t yet implemented it.
The authors acknowledged the presence of a distinction in the reduction of premiums based on the timing of a state’s implementation of its medical cannabis law, although further investigation is required. They remarked, “Whether a state adopted the law early, midway, or later, there appears to be a slight increase in premiums during the second full year following enactment.
However, states that adopted the law early continued to experience premium reductions from years 3 to 9, whereas states adopting the law in the middle saw a less pronounced impact on premiums after year 3.”
The research article was authored by Amanda C. Cook, a professor of economics at Bowling Green State University; E. Tice Sirmans, a Finance, insurance, and Law professor at Illinois State University; and Amanda Stype, an economics professor at Eastern Michigan University.
This new paper contributes to the expanding collection of research that highlights potential public health advantages linked to the termination of prohibition. Numerous studies have indicated, for instance, that states with medical marijuana regulations exhibit notably lower rates of prescribed opioid use. Furthermore, earlier this year, a report discovered a similar correlation between adult-use legalization and decreased demand for opioids.
Pharmaceutical Industry Economics Shift Post-Medical Marijuana Legalization
In March, a study established that states permitting medical marijuana observed decreased payments to doctors for opioid-related treatments—an additional sign that patients are embracing cannabis as an alternative to prescription drugs.
On an individual level, a recent research article featured in the International Journal of Drug
Policy revealed that cannabis significantly alleviated opioid cravings for individuals who were using opioids without a prescription. This suggests that broadening legal access to cannabis could potentially offer a safer replacement for more people.
Furthermore, a study published in January by the American Medical Association (AMA) revealed that around one in three chronic pain patients report utilizing cannabis as a treatment approach. Among this subset, most patients have chosen cannabis as an alternative to other pain-relief medications, including opioids.
Another investigation conducted by the AMA established a connection between state-level medical cannabis legalization and substantial declines in opioid prescriptions and usage among specific cancer patients.
In a study disclosed in September, it was unveiled that providing individuals with legal access to medical cannabis holds the potential to assist patients in reducing or discontinuing their reliance on opioid pain medications while upholding their quality of life.
A collaborative effort between Emerald Coast Research and Florida State University College of Medicine involved surveying 2,183 patients recruited from dispensaries throughout Florida. The goal was to gain insights into the impact of medical cannabis legalization within the context of the opioid overdose epidemic. The participants completed comprehensive 66-item cross-sectional surveys.
The findings revealed that most patients, precisely 90.6%, indicated that they had found marijuana to be “highly or incredibly beneficial in addressing their medical condition.” Furthermore, 88.7% of survey participants said cannabis was “highly or essential” in shaping their overall quality of life.
Similarly, during the same month, another research article highlighted that the pharmaceutical sector experienced a significant economic setback after the legalization of marijuana by states, resulting in an average market loss of nearly $10 billion for drug manufacturers with each legalization model.
Published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, the research paper examined stock return and prescription drug sales data about 556 pharmaceutical companies from 1996 to 2019. The study delved into market patterns before and after introducing medical and adult-use cannabis legalization laws at the state level.
According to the study’s authors, the stock returns experienced a decline of “1.5 – 2% at the 10-day mark following legalization.” The authors discovered that these returns diminished due to medical and recreational legalization, affecting both generic and brand pharmaceutical companies. Investors foresee that a single instance of legalization will lead to an average reduction of $3 billion in annual sales for drug manufacturers.
Conclusion
The International Journal of Drug Policy recently published research demonstrating that states legalizing medical marijuana experience decreased health insurance premiums, debunking concerns of higher healthcare costs. Analyzing a decade of insurance data, the study reveals a consistent decline in premiums over time, highlighting the broader benefits of legalization.
This aligns with growing evidence showing medical marijuana’s positive impact, including reduced opioid use, prescriptions, and improved chronic pain management. Moreover, cannabis legalization has economically affected the pharmaceutical sector, causing market losses. The research underscores the multifaceted effects of medical marijuana legalization, informing policymakers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.
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HOW MUCH MONEY DO YOU SAVE ON HEALTH INSURANCE WITH LEGAL CANNABIS?
“How Long Does One Puff of Weed Stay in Your System?”… This topic can be difficult to answer since it is dependent on elements such as the size of the hit and what constitutes a “one hit.” If you take a large bong pull then cough, it might linger in your system for 5-7 days. A moderate dose from a joint can last 3-5 days, whereas a few hits from a vaporizer may last 1-3 days.
The length of time that marijuana stays in the body varies based on a number of factors, including metabolism, THC levels, frequency of use, and hydration.
Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, is the primary psychoactive component of cannabis. THC and its metabolites, which remain in your body long after the effects have subsided, are detected by drug tests.
Since these metabolites are fat-soluble, they cling to bodily fat molecules. They could thus take a while to fully pass through your system, particularly if your body fat percentage is higher.
THC is absorbed by tissues and organs (including the brain, heart, and fat) and converted by the liver into chemicals such as 11-hydroxy-THC and carboxy-THC. Cannabis is eliminated in feces at a rate of around 65%, while urine accounts for 20%. The leftover amount might be kept within the body.
THC deposited in bodily tissues ultimately re-enters the circulation and is processed by the liver. For frequent users, THC accumulates in fatty tissues quicker than it can be removed, thus it may be detectable in drug tests for days or weeks following consumption.
The detection time varies according to the amount and frequency of cannabis usage. Higher dosages and regular usage result in longer detection times.
The type of drug test also affects detection windows. Blood and saliva tests typically detect cannabis metabolites for shorter periods, while urine and hair samples can reveal use for weeks or even months. In some cases, hair tests have detected cannabis use over 90 days after consumption.
Detection Windows for Various Cannabis Drug Tests
Urine Tests
Among all drug tests, urine testing is the most commonly used method for screening for drug use in an individual.
Detection times vary, but a 2017 review suggests the following windows for cannabis in urine after last use:
– Single-use (e.g., one joint): up to 3 days
– Moderate use (around 4 times a week): 5–7 days
– Chronic use (daily): 10–15 days
– Chronic heavy use (multiple times daily): over 30 days
Blood Tests
Blood tests generally detect recent cannabis use, typically within 2–12 hours after consumption. However, in cases of heavy use, cannabis has been detected up to 30 days later. Chronic heavy use can extend the detection period in the bloodstream.
Saliva Tests
THC can enter saliva through secondhand cannabis smoke, but THC metabolites are only present if you’ve personally smoked or ingested cannabis.
Saliva testing has a short detection window and can sometimes identify cannabis use on the same day. A 2020 review found that THC was detectable in the saliva of frequent users for up to 72 hours after use, and it may remain in saliva longer than in blood following recent use.
In areas where cannabis is illegal, saliva testing is often used for roadside screenings.
Hair Tests
Hair follicle tests can detect cannabis use for up to 90 days. After use, cannabinoids reach the hair follicles through small blood vessels and from sebum and sweat surrounding the hair.
Hair grows at approximately 0.5 inches per month, so a 1.5-inch segment of hair close to the scalp can reveal cannabis use over the past three months.
Factors Affecting THC and Metabolite Retention
The length of time THC and its metabolites stay in your system depends on various factors. Some, like body mass index (BMI) and metabolic rate, relate to individual body processing, not the drug itself.
Other factors are specific to cannabis use, including:
– Dosage: How much you consume
– Frequency: How often you use cannabis
– Method of consumption: Smoking, dabbing, edibles, or sublingual
– THC potency: Higher potency can extend detection time
Higher doses and more frequent use generally extend THC retention. Cannabis consumed orally may remain in the system slightly longer than smoked cannabis, and stronger cannabis strains, higher in THC, may also stay detectable for a longer period.
How Quickly Do the Effects of Cannabis Set In?
When smoking cannabis, effects appear almost immediately, while ingested cannabis may take 1–3 hours to peak.
The psychoactive component THC produces a “high” with common effects such as:
– Altered senses, including perception of time
– Mood changes
– Difficulty with thinking and problem-solving
– Impaired memory
Other short-term effects can include:
– Anxiety and confusion
– Decreased coordination
– Dry mouth and eyes
– Nausea or lightheadedness
– Trouble focusing
– Increased appetite
– Rapid heart rate
– Restlessness and sleepiness
In rare cases, high doses may lead to hallucinations, delusions, or acute psychosis.
Regular cannabis use may have additional mental and physical effects. While research is ongoing, cannabis use may increase the risk of:
– Cognitive issues like memory loss
– Cardiovascular problems including heart disease and stroke
– Respiratory illnesses such as bronchitis or lung infections
– Mood disorders like depression and anxiety
Cannabis use during pregnancy can negatively impact fetal growth and development.
Duration of Effects
Short-term effects generally taper off within 1–3 hours, but for chronic users, some long-term effects may last days, weeks, or even months. Certain effects may even be permanent.
Bottom Line
The amount of time that cannabis remains in your system following a single use varies greatly depending on individual characteristics such as body fat, metabolism, frequency of use, and mode of intake. Frequent users may maintain traces of THC for weeks, whereas infrequent users may test positive for as little as a few days. Hair tests can disclose usage for up to 90 days, while blood and saliva tests identify more recent use. Urine tests are the most popular and have varying detection durations. The duration that THC and its metabolites are detectable will ultimately depend on a number of factors, including dose, strength, and individual body chemistry.
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Is kratom addictive? Discover the potential for dependence on Kratom, the risks involved with its use, and how to approach its consumption responsibly.
From 2011 to 2017, over 1,800 calls to poison centers involved kratom in the U.S. This significant number highlights the concern regarding kratom addiction.
However, without Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversight, and due to various consumption methods like teas and capsules, there are significant health risks. Safe use of kratom is now in question due to these issues.
Research debates how dependence develops, outlining signs like loss of control and withdrawal symptoms. These signs are seen in regular kratom users. Ironically, some people switch from drugs like heroin to kratom, looking for a legal alternative.
Understanding Kratom: Origins and Prevalence
Kratom comes from the Mitragyna speciosa tree in Southeast Asia. It can act like a stimulant or like opioids, based on how much you take. People use it in different ways, for a small energy boost or stronger effects at higher doses.
The legal status of kratom in the U.S. is complicated and changing. It’s a hot topic because some worry about its misuse. It’s still legal in several states. This shows how different places handle drug rules. The National Institute on Drug Abuse is looking into its medical benefits. But, the FDA hasn’t approved it for medical use yet. The DEA calls it a “drug of concern,” which means policies might change.
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From 2011 to 2017, poison control centers in the U.S. got over 1,800 reports about kratom. This shows it’s widely used and might pose health risks.
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Kratom’s main ingredients bind to opioid receptors very strongly, stronger than morphine even. This fact is key to understanding its effects.
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As more people use kratom, more are reporting serious health problems. These include liver and heart issues, and tough withdrawal symptoms, particularly in those already sick.
The statistics show mounting worries about kratom in the U.S. As its use grows, it’s becoming more important to health policies and laws. What happens next will depend on further research and legal decisions.
Is Kratom Addictive: Investigating the Substance’s Nature
The question of kratom’s addictiveness focuses on how it affects brain receptors and its long-term health implications. The ongoing debate highlights concerns about dependence and the risk of addiction. Scientists are closely looking at these issues.
How Kratom Works in the Brain
Kratom’s main alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, bind to the brain’s opioid receptors, similar to painkillers and narcotics. This connection suggests a potential risk of dependence. These alkaloids are key to kratom’s pain relief but also point to possible addiction concerns, especially with frequent, high-dose usage.
Patterns and Consequences of Long-term Use
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Using kratom often, especially in large doses, can increase the risk of dependence and intense withdrawal symptoms, similar to opioid withdrawal.
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Although some use it for pain or to improve mood, long-term kratom users might see serious health problems, like liver damage and mental health issues.
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Withdrawal symptoms, including irritability, nausea, and sleep problems, show kratom’s impact on one’s physical and mental health.
Assessment of Addiction Risks
Studies indicate a significant risk of addiction to kratom, especially with high doses or frequent use. Dependence develops as the body gets used to kratom, leading to tolerance and a need for more to feel its effects. Withdrawal symptoms emphasize this risk, as highlighted by health experts.
Physiological Effects: Kratom’s Impact on the Body
There is a lot of debate about the safety and use of kratom. This herbal extract comes from the Mitragyna speciosa plant. It has drawn attention for its possible harmful effects on the body. The FDA has issued many warnings about kratom, raising safety concerns.
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Kratom Adverse Effects: Kratom users have reported side effects like nausea, vomiting, and confusion. More serious issues include high blood pressure and liver damage. These problems highlight the risks of using kratom.
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Herbal Extract Safety: Some kratom products contain heavy metals and pathogens. These can cause severe health issues, including death. This shows the importance of safety in herbal products.
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FDA Warnings and Regulations: The FDA has linked kratom to over 35 deaths and warns against using it. They point out the lack of medical uses and the risk of addiction.
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Physiological Impact: Kratom’s effects depend on the dose and the user’s body. Yet, it can lead to dangerous outcomes like liver damage and seizures.
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Safety Concerns from Authorities: Federal agencies like the DEA are worried about kratom’s safety. Although not a controlled substance, monitoring suggests users should be careful.
Kratom might offer temporary relief for some ailments, but it comes with significant risks. The FDA’s warnings should make people think twice. If considering kratom, it’s crucial to talk to a doctor first. Experts stress the need for safety and caution with herbal extracts.
Conclusion
Kratom’s role in health and regulation is complex, with views and research findings widely varied. Some people use kratom for its claimed health benefits, but it’s a hot topic. Experts advise caution and suggest consulting a doctor before using kratom due to the unclear effects.
Clinical studies using scores like SOWS and COWS haven’t confirmed withdrawal symptoms from kratom. This adds to the debate, especially when some users report withdrawal. This makes kratom a controversial subject among different findings and user experiences.
When it comes to treating opioid addiction, kratom can be both helpful and harmful. Some have used it successfully to fight addiction. Yet, some states have banned it. This highlights the need for regulations and consistent product quality. It also raises questions about kratom’s legal status due to mixed actions by authorities.
The situation shows how complex kratom is in the realm of substance use and law. Without clear evidence supporting either its benefits or risks, it poses a challenge. More research is needed to guide regulations and health advice. For now, anyone thinking of using kratom should be careful, seek medical advice, and keep up with laws and health guidelines.
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