BAD MEDICINE: Mental Health and What the Opioid Epidemic Can Teach Us About Cannabis-Recording: Bad Medicine

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this lecture, titled "Bad Medicine, Mental Health, and What the Opioid Epidemic Can Teach Us About Cannabis," the speaker, Jim Berry, discusses the parallels between the opioid epidemic and the emergence of the cannabis industry. Berry highlights the impact of cannabis on mental health and emphasizes the need for a clear understanding of what qualifies as medicine. He discusses the rise of deaths of despair, which include suicide, overdose, and liver failure, and how these preventable deaths have been linked to substance use disorders and mental illness. Berry also outlines the current state of the opioid crisis and the role of opioids in driving overdose deaths. He then delves into the topic of cannabis, discussing its increased potency and frequency of use, as well as its association with mental health issues such as psychosis and addiction. Berry raises concerns about the lack of education and safeguards surrounding cannabis use, particularly in the context of its classification as medicine. He questions the narrative promoting cannabis as a substitute for opioids and presents evidence that suggests cannabis legalization may contribute to the opioid epidemic. Finally, Berry calls for increased regulation and research to better understand the risks and benefits of cannabis use and advocates for stricter policies to protect vulnerable populations.

Keywords

Mental Health

Opioid Epidemic

Cannabis

Medicine Qualification

Deaths of Despair

Substance Use Disorders

Opioid Crisis

Cannabis Potency

Mental Health Issues

Cannabis Classification

Stricter Policies