Unintentional Drug Overdoses In Ohio From 2002 To 2013

Ohio’s marijuana legalization debate is taking place amid an explosion of opioid abuse in the state.

Since 2002, overdoses from all opioids have increased 347%, from 344 deaths to 1,539 deaths in 2013. Heroin overdoses alone have increased over 800% in the same period.

If legalized this November, marijuana may offer an alternative approach to manage the type of chronic pain that is currently being treated with opioids, which has resulting the soaring overdose rates.