The study examined the impact of new cannabis laws on the use of prescription drugs for mental health disorders. Both medical and recreational cannabis laws were found to reduce benzodiazepine use but increase the use of antidepressants and antipsychotic medications. The study analyzed data from over 10 million commercially insured patients and found significant changes in medication dispensing rates associated with cannabis laws. However, the effects varied by drug class and state. The findings suggest a need for further research to understand the impact of cannabis policy changes on patient health outcomes and the optimal treatment options for mental health disorders.
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Medical, recreational cannabis laws may impact psychiatric prescription trends
