US states that legalised cannabis dispensing fewer tranquilisers but more antidepressants and antipsychotics

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-09-06 01:00

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A US study of more than 9 million insured patients across the USA found states that legalised cannabis for medical or recreational use have seen a dip in dispensing of tranquilisers called benzodiazepines, but an increase in dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications. Benzodiazepine prescriptions were down 12.4% where medical cannabis is legal, and 15.2% where recreational cannabis is legal, the experts say. But states with legalised medical cannabis saw an increase of between 3.8% and 8.8% in antidepressant dispensing and a 2.5% increase in antipsychotic dispensing, they add. The team also looked at other classes of drugs, but no clear and consistent patterns were seen. They say the findings highlight the need for more research into the effects of cannabis on mental health.

Media release

From: JAMA

Cannabis Laws and Utilization of Medications for the Treatment of Mental Health Disorders

About The Study: This cross-sectional study of commercially insured patients suggests that there may have been meaningful heterogeneous associations between cannabis policy and state and between cannabis policy and drug class (e.g., decreases in dispensing of benzodiazepines but increases in dispensing of antidepressants and antipsychotics). This finding suggests additional clinical research is needed to understand the association between cannabis use and mental health. The results have implications for patient substance use and mental health–related outcomes.

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Journal/
conference: JAMA Network Open

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Georgia Institute of Technology, USA

Funder: This research was supported by Award R01DA047365 from the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

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