Michigan Tests First-Ever Free Cannabis Give-Away To Reduce Opioid Overdose Crisis

In a first for the U.S., a pilot program in rural Michigan is exploring the use of cannabis as a harm reduction tool.

Researchers followed 10 clients who received free marijuana through a harm reduction organization, with promising results. Staff observed positive changes, like one client who successfully replaced alcohol with cannabis to manage post-surgical pain, and another who reduced methamphetamine and opioid use while pregnant.

This case study, published recently in the Harm Reduction Journal, highlights the potential of cannabis donation programs.

"We applied a community-driven research approach to gather information from harm reduction program staff about the implementation and evolution of cannabis donation efforts in Michigan," said the authors. "We also examined 20 months (September 2021 through May 2023) of administrative data from a cannabis company to compare the sale and donation of cannabis products."

The program offered cannabis products to clients deemed appropriate by clinical staff. Weekly pickups or deliveries ensured safe access. The initial findings suggest cannabis donation programs could be a valuable tool for harm reduction practitioners, potentially offering people who use drugs a safer alternative and a path towards recovery.

The positive observations from staff and the seemingly low burden on cannabis businesses paint a promising picture as the pilot program adds to the growing conversation surrounding cannabis and addiction.

"While the policies surrounding the regulation and distribution of cannabis can still present barriers towards this practice, harm reduction staff working in the field see the potential benefits of cannabis, which include reduced premature death, improved quality of life, pain moderation, increased recovery outcomes, and improved safety for clients and community," the authors wrote.

The research team, affiliated with institutions like RTI International and Rutgers University, stressed the need for further studies. However, their initial findings suggest such programs are feasible. Donations from cannabis companies made up a small portion of their sales (around 1%), indicating a sustainable model.

Interestingly, the donated products differed from what is typically purchased. While flower dominates adult-use and medical marijuana sales, this program primarily supplied edibles, oils and topical products. This might reflect a focus on harm reduction, with these forms potentially offering safer and more controlled consumption methods.

The research does not claim to definitively prove the program’s effectiveness though it offers a glimmer of hope in the fight against the devastating opioid crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 107,000 Americans in 2021, according to data gathered by the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

In January 2024, a major study published in the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse found no significant link between cannabis use and relapse on non-medical opioids among patients receiving methadone and buprenorphine.

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