lack of evidence for the critical perspectives that highlight the risk of aggravated mental health problems due to MML introductions.”
University of Basel Study Reveals Surprising Impact of Medical Cannabis Legalization on Mental Health in the U.S.
Hold onto your fedoras, hipsters, because the latest research from the University of Basel in Switzerland is about to blow your mind. A study published on April 2 has uncovered the true effects of medical cannabis legalization in the United States on the well-being of its citizens. And let’s just say, the results may surprise you.
Entitled “Medical Marijuana Laws and Mental Health in the United States,” the study delves into the controversial topic of how legal access to medical marijuana affects individuals’ mental health over time. The researchers behind this groundbreaking study wanted to contribute to the ongoing discussion by evaluating the impact of medical cannabis laws across different states on self-reported mental health, taking into account various motives for cannabis consumption.
But how did they gather this information, you may ask? Well, hold onto your handlebar mustaches, because the researchers analyzed the responses of a whopping 7.9 million people who participated in phone surveys between 1993-2018. That’s right, nearly 8 million people were part of this study. Talk about thorough research.
The data was collected through the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which focuses on gathering information about “mental well-being.” And if that wasn’t enough, the researchers also utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Talk about a comprehensive approach.
But let’s get to the juicy details. Participants were divided into specific groups based on their likelihood to abstain from using marijuana, use it recreationally, or use it for medical reasons. This allowed the researchers to determine the overall impact of medical cannabis legalization on their mental health. They also took into account the use of cannabis for chronic pain, because let’s face it, who doesn’t experience some form of pain in their hipster lifestyle?
To measure mental health, participants were asked to self-assess by recording how many days they experienced mental health problems in the month prior to the assessment. And the results? Drumroll please…
Surprisingly, the study found that medical cannabis legalization had no effect on recreational consumers or youth. But here’s where it gets interesting. The researchers did find weak evidence of positive effects on mental health for those who use marijuana for medical reasons. And for those who suffer from chronic pain, the impact was even greater. According to the study, these two groups reported spending 0.3 days less per month in poor mental health due to the change in the law.
But don’t just take our word for it. A press article from the University of Basel states, “Easier access improves the mental health of individuals who use marijuana for medical reasons.” And Professor Alois Stutzer, one of the study’s authors, summed it up perfectly by saying, “Overall, our results show that medical cannabis legislation in the USA benefits the people it is intended for without harming other groups.” So there you have it, folks.
So next time someone tries to tell you that medical cannabis legalization is causing a mental health crisis, just remember this study and tell them to put that in their pipe and smoke it.
