Doctor: Medical marijuana could replace opoids

TULSA — A large, and growing, body of research indicates medical marijuana can treat chronic pain effectively, and an increasing number of doctors point to it as a possible solution for the nation’s opioid crisis.

Dr. Shivani Amin tells KRMG she used to use opioids for pain management, but no longer.

“I was able to see first-hand the opioid epidemic that we have going on in our nation,” she said Wednesday. “Because of that reason, I kind of switched gears and went down more of an alternative path, and I’m a huge advocate of cannabis because I’ve seen it first-hand - the way it can help people, especially with chronic pain management.”

Asked if, in her opinion, marijuana is as effective for pain management as opioids, she didn’t hesitate.

“Yes, definitely,” she said, “if not better.”

She stresses that a patient who’s been taking opioids, especially for any length of time, should not try to get off of them “cold turkey.”

But with the help of a physician, she said, making the switch can change their lives.

And there can be no doubt, Amin told KRMG, that marijuana is much safer.

“My honest opinion is marijuana is 100 percent safe. No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. I mean, you have millions and millions of deaths every year from an opioid overdose.”

Oklahoma will vote on State Question 788, which would make medical marijuana legal in the state, on June 26th.