Marijuana is widely used in the United States. Despite its federal status as a Schedule I drug, several states have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use. Thus, researchers seek to determine how marijuana use may interact with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While most evidence suggests smoking marijuana could put COVID-19 patients at greater risk, some compounds in marijuana are promoted as treatments for the viral infection. This post will compile research demonstrating these potential interactions between marijuana use and COVID-19.

Over the last decade, the United States has experienced what has been termed an opioid epidemic. Currently, an estimated 130 Americans die each day from opioid overdose (CDC, 2020). Now, the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to disrupt the medical community’s treatment of opioid use disorders (OUD). Below is a summary of observed and potential effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people with OUD.