Medical Cannabis Legalization Did Not Increase ADHD Stimulant Prescriptions
An analysis of DEA prescription data from 2006 to 2021 found that medical cannabis legalization did not contribute to rising rates of ADHD stimulant distribution, despite concerns that cannabis-induced cognitive impairment might increase ADHD diagnoses.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
While there was a significant increase in stimulant distribution over time (methylphenidate, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine), there was no significant main effect of medical cannabis legalization status. The stimulant increase was driven by other factors, likely including broadened ADHD diagnostic criteria in DSM-5 and the addition of binge eating disorder as a stimulant indication.
Key Numbers
DEA data from 2006-2021; significant time effect on stimulant distribution (p<0.05); no significant main effect of MC legalization (p=0.391); no significant difference between states with and without MC sales (p=0.355)
How They Did This
Retrospective analysis of DEA comprehensive database tracking methylphenidate, amphetamine, and lisdexamfetamine distribution from 2006-2021. Compared three-year population-corrected slopes before and after medical cannabis program implementation across states.
Why This Research Matters
Concerns have been raised that medical cannabis might worsen attention problems, potentially leading to more ADHD diagnoses and stimulant prescriptions. This study provides reassurance that this feared consequence has not materialized at a population level.
The Bigger Picture
This study joins others suggesting that many feared public health consequences of medical cannabis legalization have not materialized. The rising stimulant prescriptions appear driven by diagnostic changes rather than cannabis-related cognitive decline.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Ecological study using state-level distribution data rather than individual patient prescriptions. Cannot determine whether specific cannabis users received stimulant prescriptions. Medical cannabis programs vary widely in structure and patient populations across states.
Questions This Raises
- ?Could recreational legalization have a different effect on stimulant prescriptions?
- ?Do individual cannabis users have higher rates of subsequent ADHD diagnosis?
- ?What is driving the continued increase in stimulant distribution?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- No effect on stimulant prescriptions
- Evidence Grade:
- Population-level analysis using comprehensive federal data, but ecological design cannot link individual cannabis use to prescriptions
- Study Age:
- 2023 study
- Original Title:
- Medical Cannabis Legalization: No Contribution to Rising Stimulant Rates in the USA.
- Published In:
- Pharmacopsychiatry, 56(6), 214-218 (2023)
- Authors:
- Alexander, Garrett D(2), Cavanah, Luke R(2), Goldhirsh, Jessica L(2), Huey, Leighton Y, Piper, Brian J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-04359
Evidence Hierarchy
Looks back at existing records to find patterns.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis use lead to ADHD?
While chronic cannabis use can cause cognitive symptoms that resemble ADHD, this population-level study found no evidence that medical cannabis legalization increased stimulant prescriptions for ADHD.
Why are ADHD stimulant prescriptions rising?
The study suggests the increase is driven by broadened ADHD diagnostic criteria in DSM-5 and the FDA approval of stimulants for binge eating disorder, rather than by cannabis-related cognitive effects.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-04359APA
Alexander, Garrett D; Cavanah, Luke R; Goldhirsh, Jessica L; Huey, Leighton Y; Piper, Brian J. (2023). Medical Cannabis Legalization: No Contribution to Rising Stimulant Rates in the USA.. Pharmacopsychiatry, 56(6), 214-218. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2152-7757
MLA
Alexander, Garrett D, et al. "Medical Cannabis Legalization: No Contribution to Rising Stimulant Rates in the USA.." Pharmacopsychiatry, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2152-7757
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Medical Cannabis Legalization: No Contribution to Rising Sti..." RTHC-04359. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/alexander-2023-medical-cannabis-legalization-no
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.