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GREENFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association looked at medical marijuana laws and death certificate data in all 50 states between 1999 and 2010.
The study found medical marijuana states had nearly 25 percent fewer deaths. Increases in painkiller deaths also appeared to slow more the longer a medical marijuana law was in effect.
Most people 22News spoke with said this emphasizes the need for medical marijuana in western Massachusetts, and specifically in Greenfield.
“Just like the opiate problem here in town that’s what these prescription pain meds are and it leads into these heroin addictions and that’s a horrible problem around here where cannabis is natural its grown,” said Sarah Davis of Greenfield.
Greenfield has been moving forward with trying to put in a medical marijuana dispensary after moratorium was rejected. The American Legion has been applying to become one of the first dispensaries in the county.