Good evening. Here's what's moving in the world of medical cannabis today.

Analysis finds opioid overdose rates decline after cannabis legalisation

A new analysis published this week adds to the growing body of evidence linking legal cannabis access to reductions in opioid-related harm. Researchers found that opioid overdose rates consistently decreased following the enactment of marijuana legalisation laws in several US states.

The study's authors stated: "These findings add to the already robust evidence documenting the opioid-sparing effects of cannabis and highlight the role legal cannabis access can play in mitigating the public health burden associated with the use of prescription and non-prescription opiates." The analysis was reported by NORML, the US-based cannabis policy reform organisation.

US abortion restrictions linked to worsening miscarriage care, raising questions for medical cannabis patients

A new study has found that abortion restrictions in the United States have made it more difficult for women to access proper care for miscarriages. Researchers reported that states with abortion bans are increasingly turning to a "wait-and-see" approach rather than providing medication, with care falling below established medical standards.

Though not directly about cannabis, the findings have implications for medical cannabis patients of reproductive age in restrictive states. Access to miscarriage management can be complicated when cannabis use is involved, and the study highlights broader concerns about how legal restrictions on one area of medicine can spill over into others.

US healthcare report card shows system failing despite high spending

The Commonwealth Fund has published its 2026 report card on US healthcare, measuring the United States against 19 other wealthy nations. The report finds that Americans spend 18 per cent of the economy on healthcare — nearly twice the average of comparable countries — yet achieve worse health outcomes.

For medical cannabis patients in the US, the findings underscore persistent disparities in access and affordability. The high-cost, low-value system means many patients face significant financial barriers to obtaining legal medical cannabis, particularly in states where insurance does not cover it and out-of-pocket costs remain high.

Genomic breast cancer test could reduce chemotherapy — relevance for cannabis patients noted

A groundbreaking genomic test could spare millions of breast cancer patients from chemotherapy, according to a trial reported by The Guardian. Patients with a low test score could be treated with hormone therapy alone with near-identical outcomes, researchers found. One woman described her relief as "like Christmas" after learning she could skip chemotherapy.

For medical cannabis patients undergoing cancer treatment, the development is significant. Many use cannabis to manage chemotherapy side effects such as nausea, pain, and appetite loss. A reduction in chemotherapy rates may shift the patterns of cannabis use among cancer patients, though the study did not address cannabis directly.