State Medical Cannabis Policy Implementation and Racial Disparities in Opioid Prescribing Among Medicare Beneficiaries: A Policy Impact Analysis

Abstract Introduction: U.S. cannabis policies have a history of racial disparities, highlighting the need for research surrounding racial inequities, particularly within the context of medicalization of cannabis and opioid prescribing. This study evaluated racial disparities in the relationship between state-level medical cannabis policy implementation and changes in opioid-prescribing patterns among Medicare beneficiaries. Methods: Utilizing Medicare claims data from 2012 to 2015, beneficiaries aged ≥65 years were categorized into 3 state categories: Medical marijuana law implementation states, existing medical marijuana law