Researchers who looked at opioid prescription and mortality rates in Oregon found that nearby access to retail marijuana moderately reduced opioid prescriptions, though they observed no corresponding drop in opioid-related deaths.
Specifically, communities located within a mile of state-licensed cannabis outlets had prescription opioid rates that were 1% to 3.9% lower than surrounding areas, according to the analysis, published this week in the journal Regional Science and Urban Economics.
Prescription rates were higher among communities located between 1 mile and 4 miles to a dispensary. They were higher still as distances to retail marijuana grew to between 4 miles and 10 miles, and even greater between 10 miles and 20 miles.
