Recreational cannabis legalizations associated with reductions in prescription drug utilization among Medicaid enrollees.
Health Econ
; 31(7): 1513-1521, 2022 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35429072
ABSTRACT
The potential substitution of cannabis for prescription medication has attracted a substantial amount of attention within the context of medical cannabis laws (MCLs). However, much less is known about the association between recreational cannabis laws (RCLs) and prescription drug use. With recent evidence supporting substitution of cannabis for prescription drugs following MCLs, it is reasonable to ask what effect RCLs may have on those outcomes. We use quarterly data for all Medicaid prescriptions from 2011 to 2019 to investigate the effect of state-level RCLs on prescription drug utilization. We estimate this effect with a series of two-way fixed effects event study models. We find significant reductions in the volume of prescriptions within the drug classes that align with the medical indications for pain, depression, anxiety, sleep, psychosis, and seizures. Our results suggest substitution away from prescription drugs and potential cost savings for state Medicaid programs.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Temas:
Acesso_medicamentos_insumos_estrategicos
Contexto em Saúde:
1_ASSA2030
/
2_ODS3
/
8_ODS3_consumo_sustancias_psicoactivas
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Cannabis
/
Medicamentos sob Prescrição
/
Maconha Medicinal
Tipo de estudo:
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Humans
País/Região como assunto:
America do norte
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Health Econ
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article