Putting an end to the prescription opiate addiction in Texas, by passing medical marijuana laws.

American Academy of Pain Medicine states that, more than 100 million Americans suffer from chronic pain. Most of which is treated with opioid prescriptions. According to the CDC, nearly half of all U.S. opioid overdose deaths involve a prescription opiate. The Center of Disease Control also found that, in 2015 more than 15,000 people died from overdoses involving prescription opiates alone, in same year the number of marijuana deaths put out by the CDC were zero. In fact research did find that opiate-related deaths decreased by around 33 percent in 13 states in the following six years after medical marijuana was legalized. The CDC also warns that overdose is not the only risk related to prescription opiates. Misuse, abuse, and opioid use disorder (addiction) are also potential dangers. In 2014, almost 2 million Americans abused or were dependent on prescription opiates. As many as 1 in 4 people, who receive prescription opioids long term for non-cancer pain in primary care settings, struggles with addiction. Every day, over 1,000 people are treated in emergency departments for misusing prescription opioids, 13 states with medical marijuana use saw approximately 17,000 fewer deaths from prescription opiates. Allowing doctors to prescribe medical marijuana can help patients get off the dangerous track of opioids. According to an article published by U.S. National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, "The entry of cannabinoid medicines to the pharmacopoeia offers a novel approach to the issue of chronic pain management, offering new hope to many" (Russo). Giving another chance for marijuana to be used appropriately and under the direction of a trained physician will help patients all across Texas.