State Medical Marijuana Laws and the Prevalence of Opioids Detected Among Fatally Injured Drivers
Abstract
OBJECTIVES:
To assess the association between medical marijuana laws (MMLs) and the odds of a positive opioid test, an indicator for prior use.
METHODS:
We analyzed 1999-2013 Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) data from 18 states that tested for alcohol and other drugs in at least 80% of drivers who died within 1 hour of crashing (n = 68 394). Within-state and between-state comparisons assessed opioidpositivity among drivers crashing in states with an operational MML (i.e., allowances for home cultivation or active dispensaries) versusdrivers crashing in states before a future MML was operational.
RESULTS:
State-specific estimates indicated a reduction in opioid positivity for most states after implementation of an operational MML, although none of these estimates were significant. When we combined states, we observed no significant overall association (odds ratio [OR] = 0.79; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.61, 1.03). However, age-stratified analyses indicated a significant reduction in opioid positivity for drivers aged 21 to 40 years (OR = 0.50; 95% CI = 0.37, 0.67; interaction P < .001).
CONCLUSIONS:
Operational MMLs are associated with reductions in opioid positivity among 21- to 40-year-old fatally injured drivers and may reduce opioid use and overdose.
Kim JH1, Santaella-Tenorio J1, Mauro C1, Wrobel J1, Cerdà M1, Keyes KM1, Hasin D1, Martins SS1, Li G1.
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