Cannabis may help reduce reliance on other stimulants, finds study

New findings suggest that cannabis could reduce reliance on other stimulant drugs, and play a role in addressing the ongoing opioid overdose crisis.

A new study at the University of British Columbia has observed that using cannabis is associated with decreased use of crystal methamphetamine among people at highest risk of overdose in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

The research, published in Addictive Behaviors, used data from a questionnaire administered to individuals concurrently using cannabis and unregulated drugs, including stimulants and opioids, in Vancouver.

About 45% of the study’s participants reported using cannabis to manage their cravings for stimulant drugs in the last six months, including powder cocaine, crack cocaine and methamphetamines. 

A notable reduction in crystal meth use was observed among those who used cannabis for craving management. This association was not significant for crack cocaine users.

It is the latest in a series of studies investigating the potential of cannabis to address the overdose crisis led researchers  at the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use.

Dr. Hudson Reddon, the study’s lead researcher, emphasised the potential of cannabis as a harm-reduction strategy.

“Our findings are not conclusive but do add to the growing scientific evidence that cannabis might be a beneficial tool for some people who want to better control their unregulated stimulant use, particularly for people who use crystal meth,” he commented.

“This suggests a new direction for harm reduction strategies among people who use drugs.”

Dr Zach Walsh, a Clinical Psychology Professor at UBCO and a leading substance use researcher, highlighted the importance of further investigation.

“While these findings are promising, they underscore the need for more comprehensive studies to understand the full potential of cannabis in the context of the overdose crisis,” Dr Walsh adds. 

The work is supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the United States National Institute on Drug Abuse.