Cannabis Use Linked to Less Fentanyl Exposure in Opioid Treatment Patients
Among 819 people on opioid agonist therapy in Vancouver, those who used cannabis were 9% less likely to test positive for fentanyl on urine drug testing.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
In a prospective cohort of 819 participants on opioid agonist therapy (OAT) contributing 1,989 observations (2016-2018), cannabis use (detected by urine testing) was independently associated with a 9% reduced likelihood of fentanyl exposure (adjusted prevalence ratio=0.91, 95% CI: 0.83-0.99).
Key Numbers
819 participants on OAT; 1,989 observations; fentanyl detected in 53% at baseline; cannabis users had lower fentanyl prevalence (47% vs 56%, p=0.028); adjusted PR=0.91 (95% CI: 0.83-0.99).
How They Did This
Generalized linear mixed-effects modeling using data from two community-recruited prospective cohorts of people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada (2016-2018), with both cannabis use and fentanyl exposure verified by urine drug testing.
Why This Research Matters
During the ongoing opioid overdose crisis driven by illicitly manufactured fentanyl, any intervention that reduces fentanyl exposure among high-risk individuals could save lives. This study suggests cannabis may play a harm-reduction role for people on OAT.
The Bigger Picture
These findings align with emerging evidence that cannabis may serve as a substitute for more dangerous substances in some contexts, though the effect size is modest and controlled trials are needed before cannabis could be recommended as a harm-reduction strategy.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational design cannot prove causation; modest effect size; potential unmeasured confounders; urine testing captures recent use but not patterns; specific to Vancouver's drug supply.
Questions This Raises
- ?Would controlled cannabinoid administration further reduce fentanyl exposure?
- ?Does the type of cannabis product matter for harm reduction in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis use was associated with 9% reduced fentanyl exposure among OAT patients
- Evidence Grade:
- Prospective cohort with objective urine testing and adjusted analysis, limited by observational design and modest effect size.
- Study Age:
- Data from 2016-2018 in Vancouver, Canada.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis use is associated with reduced risk of exposure to fentanyl among people on opioid agonist therapy during a community-wide overdose crisis.
- Published In:
- Drug and alcohol dependence, 219, 108420 (2021)
- Authors:
- Socías, M Eugenia(5), Choi, JinCheol, Lake, Stephanie(16), Wood, Evan, Valleriani, Jenna, Hayashi, Kanna, Kerr, Thomas, Milloy, M-J
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03534
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Can cannabis reduce opioid use?
This study found that people on opioid therapy who used cannabis were slightly less likely to test positive for fentanyl. However, the effect was modest (9% reduction) and the study cannot prove cannabis caused the reduction.
How was this measured?
Both cannabis use and fentanyl exposure were measured objectively through urine drug testing, rather than self-report, making the findings more reliable.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03534APA
Socías, M Eugenia; Choi, JinCheol; Lake, Stephanie; Wood, Evan; Valleriani, Jenna; Hayashi, Kanna; Kerr, Thomas; Milloy, M-J. (2021). Cannabis use is associated with reduced risk of exposure to fentanyl among people on opioid agonist therapy during a community-wide overdose crisis.. Drug and alcohol dependence, 219, 108420. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108420
MLA
Socías, M Eugenia, et al. "Cannabis use is associated with reduced risk of exposure to fentanyl among people on opioid agonist therapy during a community-wide overdose crisis.." Drug and alcohol dependence, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108420
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis use is associated with reduced risk of exposure to ..." RTHC-03534. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/socias-2021-cannabis-use-is-associated
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.