Cannabis does NOT increase Health Care Costs post legalization Study Finds
Turns out that those who do not smoke cannabis also benefits from cannabis legalization. A recent study found that insurance premiums drop significantly post legalization. Not immediately after, but roughly seven years down the line.
Let me elaborate a bit.
The transformative impact of legalizing medical marijuana extends beyond its potential health benefits to also have a substantial effect on healthcare insurance costs, as evidenced by a recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy.
This study sheds light on the intriguing correlation between states with legal medical cannabis and significant reductions in health insurance premiums, offering a fresh perspective on the post-legalization landscape.
Delving into a decade's worth of private health insurance data sourced from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, researchers undertook a meticulous analysis of states' insurance trends before and after implementing medical marijuana laws.
The findings revealed a remarkable pattern: states that embraced medical cannabis experienced a noteworthy decline in insurance premiums, painting a compelling picture of how cannabis legalization can contribute to a healthier and more cost-effective healthcare system.
Initially, the reductions in premiums might have seemed modest, but the study's scope encompassed a more extended timeline, unveiling a robust downward trend over the years.
In states where medical marijuana laws were enacted, the annual premiums exhibited a steady decline after seven years, yielding savings of $1,663 compared to states where cannabis remained illegal. This trend persisted at the eight and nine-year marks as well, with premium reductions of $1,542 and $1,626, respectively. Such consistent results underscore the stability of the impact over time.
The study authors highlighted the noteworthy aspect that these savings weren't exclusive to cannabis users but extended to non-users as well.
This fact, they noted, is rooted in the principles of insurance pooling and community rating. The findings put to rest initial concerns that cannabis legalization could contribute to increased healthcare costs, reassuringly demonstrating that these concerns were unfounded.
Remarkably, the research observed that the benefits seemed to be magnified in states that enacted medical cannabis laws earlier. While the reasons behind this discrepancy require further investigation, the results offer intriguing insights into the nuances of policy implementation and its potential influences on healthcare insurance dynamics.
Through this study, researchers Amanda C. Cook, E. Tice Sirmans, and Amanda Stype have added a significant piece to the evolving puzzle of cannabis's societal impact.
The study aligns with other emerging research that underscores the potential benefits of ending cannabis prohibition, from reductions in opioid prescriptions to potential economic shifts in the pharmaceutical industry. As more research continues to unfold, it becomes increasingly evident that cannabis's potential goes far beyond its recreational or medicinal aspects, touching on intricate facets of healthcare, insurance, and public well-being.
Cannabis Should be Legal NOW!
The mounting evidence of cannabis's potential benefits, such as its role in reducing health insurance costs, begs the question: Why hasn't cannabis been legalized yet? With over half of Americans having tried cannabis and more than 80% expressing support for its legalization, the reluctance of the legal system to fully embrace this movement is puzzling.
The recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, which revealed that states with legal medical cannabis experienced significant drops in health insurance premiums, serves as a testament to the untapped potential of this plant. The findings challenge stereotypes and showcase the multifaceted advantages that cannabis can offer to society beyond just its recreational or medicinal use.
In a country that prides itself on being "for the people, by the people," the question arises: How is it that a substance with such widespread acceptance and hidden benefits still faces obstacles like limited access to banking services and the constant fight to uphold constitutional rights?
The dichotomy between public opinion and legislative action becomes starkly evident in the cannabis landscape. With an overwhelming majority favoring legalization, one might expect a more streamlined and progressive approach towards cannabis policies. Yet, the reality is far from ideal, as legal ambiguities and federal-state conflicts continue to impede the full integration of cannabis into society.
The persistent stigmatization of cannabis and the discrepancies in its legal status across states reveal a disconnect between what the people desire and what the legal system permits. The health insurance cost reduction highlighted in the recent study is just one piece of a much larger puzzle that showcases how cannabis can positively impact various aspects of society, from public health to economic dynamics.
The Sticky Bottom Line
No matter what they throw at cannabis, it seems to always come up at top. We’re now finally able to see the effects post legalization, and it’s clear that cannabis is a greater benefit to society than it is a ”problem”.
It’s time we stop waiting for politicians to act, and simply begin to plant weed all over the place. Overgrow the government! You’re insurance premiums will benefit!
HEALTH INSURANCE AND MEDICAL MARIJUANA, READ ON...
