The majority of patients in Texas prefer medical marijuana over prescription drugs

A new survey conducted in Texas shows that 61% of the state’s medical cannabis users use the herb as a substitute for prescription drugs.

Over 2,900 people, along with NORML, participated in the Rice University’s Baker Institute for Public Policy survey and provided answers about their medical cannabis use. According to the study:

“Our recent survey of 2,866 Texas residents who use medicinal cannabis attempted to gain insight into the needs and experiences of this population. The survey was conducted online between August 11, 2020 and October 6, 2020 and participants were recruited through medical cannabis patient networks. 22 percent of those surveyed were military veterans. “

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The majority of medical marijuana patients in Texas reported using cannabis to treat pain. Close behind were veterans who used the drug to treat PTSD symptoms. Notable findings include the fact that 39% of those surveyed believed cannabis had improved their way of life and 84% of them had considered leaving Texas to live in a state with a broader medical marijuana policy.

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Findings like these are not new as several studies examine cannabis use and the effects it has on prescription drug use, which can be addictive and have a huge impact on people’s lives. In 2019, nearly 50,000 people died from overdoses associated with opioids in the state.

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Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level, but as more states launch medical marijuana programs, the medical community is discovering more information about the drug, its risks, and its therapeutic effects. While cannabis is unlikely to provide a direct solution to the opioid problem in America, states with legal medical marijuana programs offer their doctors the option of treating common and debilitating conditions with another alternative.