Legalization of Marijuana in the US Significantly Reduced Synthetic Drug Use

Researchers from Washington State University, the Oregon Health Authority, and the Arizona University of Medical Sciences conducted a study based on data from the National Poison Data System (NPDS). Their findings indicate that the legalization of marijuana has had a positive impact on reducing the use of synthetic smoking blends. In some states, a decrease of up to 37% was recorded. The report was published in the journal Clinical Toxicology.

Study Details and Key Findings

The study covered a four-year period from 2016 to 2019, chosen because many US states legalized cannabis during these years. Currently, medical use of cannabis is permitted in 37 states, and recreational use is allowed in 19 states.

During the study period, US toxicology services registered 7,600 cases of synthetic cannabinoid use. Of these cases, 56% occurred in states where marijuana was still prohibited, 38.5% in states where it was allowed for medical use, and only 5.5% in states where it was fully legalized. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2016, with 2,633 official incidents. Over the next four years, this number steadily declined, reaching 1,117 cases by 2019.

The research showed that in states where cannabis was legalized for medical purposes, the use of synthetic blends dropped by 13%. In states where cannabis was fully legalized, the decrease was 37%.

Expert Commentary

“Easing marijuana laws may have the unintended beneficial effect of reducing motivation to use synthetic cannabinoids and, consequently, the harm associated with them,” the authors noted in the study’s conclusion.

Risks of Synthetic Cannabinoids

Synthetic cannabinoid-based smoking blends often cause serious toxic reactions, such as vomiting, disorientation, paranoia, psychosis, suicide, central nervous system depression, seizures, stroke, and acute toxic damage to the kidneys and heart. Unlike natural marijuana, these substances can be fatal. Nevertheless, the popularity of synthetic blends remains high worldwide.