Insys Therapeutics, a pharmaceutical company that earns most of its revenue from a product based on fentanyl, a powerful opioid involved in many overdose cases, donated half a million dollars to a campaign against marijuana legalization in Arizona.
The company makes a pharmaceutical drug called Subsys, a sublingual spray based on fentanyl. In explaining its donation, it said that legal marijuana is a risk because children could come into contact with it and feel its negative effects.
Critics ask why the maker of a strongly addictive opioid product is working against marijuana legalization. In their view, the company does not want to share this market with others.
According to JP Holyoak, head of the committee supporting Prop 205, the ballot measure that would make marijuana legal in Arizona, Insys Therapeutics is trying to protect its own product, which he describes as more addictive and as carrying more side effects and health risks.
A study that looked at 17 states with legal medical marijuana reported that prescriptions for drugs used in situations where medical cannabis may also be used dropped after legalization. This included opioid pain medication and drugs prescribed for seizures, depression, anxiety, and nausea.
At the same time, the researchers found that in these states the number of prescriptions stayed about the same for conditions where medical marijuana is not used. Supporters of legalization see this as a sign that pharmaceutical companies have a financial reason to oppose it.
Medium reported that about 35% of the 3,050 annual drug overdose deaths in Ohio were associated with fentanyl. Fentanyl is often described as many times stronger than heroin.
Another thing worth mentioning is a scientific study published in the Journal of Pain, in which researchers looked at medical marijuana and neuropathic pain in people with spinal cord injury. The early findings were described as promising, and researchers are studying the topic further. This kind of research is not a reason to change any prescribed treatment without talking to a doctor.
As Leafly reported, supporters of legalization often point to studies like this one when they discuss chronic pain.
Dr. Kerr says that, in his opinion, the evidence for the medical use of marijuana compares well with the evidence for some pharmaceutical drugs, and that marijuana often has a milder side effect profile. He also points out that opioids are linked to many overdose deaths every year, while there is no strong evidence linking marijuana to fatal overdose.
In other words, supporters argue that the legalization of medical marijuana would be good news for many people, but not for some pharmaceutical companies. They say that the industry lobbies against the legalization of cannabis.
Insys Therapeutics says it is against marijuana legalization because it believes legalization is not good for the safety of the citizens of Arizona, especially children.
However, critics note that the company did not mention the financial loss it could face if marijuana becomes legal, or that its profit comes mostly from a fentanyl product.
Mainstream media often publish articles criticizing pharmaceutical companies for the prices of some products, but critics say they rarely discuss the role that government rules play in allowing those prices.
So, in their view, the blame falls on the companies and even on the users, and not on the lack of action by the government.
The debate over marijuana legalization continues, and voters in each state decide for themselves. This article describes that debate and does not encourage the use of any drug.
Via Medium
This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always talk to your doctor about any health concern.