Pubdate: Wed, 27 Apr 2016
Source: Day, The (New London,CT)
Copyright: 2016 Associated Press
Contact:  http://www.theday.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/293

COULD MARIJUANA HELP TREAT HEROIN ADDICTION?

Concord, N.H. (AP) - The growing number of patients who claim 
marijuana helped them drop their painkiller habit has intrigued 
lawmakers and emboldened advocates.

Some are pushing for cannabis as a treatment for the abuse of opioids 
and illegal narcotics like heroin, as well as an alternative to painkillers.

It's a tempting sell in New England, hard hit by the painkiller and 
heroin crisis. But there's a problem: There is very little research 
showing marijuana works as a treatment for the addiction.

Advocates for medical marijuana argue a growing body of scientific 
literature supports the idea. But the research falls short of 
concluding marijuana helps wean people off opioid painkillers and heroin.
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