[Grexar]

The original article and this post have a very poor headline. The study covered pain relievers, anti-depressants, and sedatives. The people were not just suffering from pain. Some had mental health issues. Some has gastrointestinal issues. I suspect the reason why cannabis was so popular is because it helps with a lot of conditions instead of just one.

Also, cannabis has a much milder effect than prescription drugs and fewer negative side effects. It's not much of a stretch to imagine someone using it in place of a prescription drug when their symptoms are not as strong.

A "friend of mine" who suffers in excruciating pain for days from the occasional kidney stone smokes weed and takes ibuprofen rather than go through bottles of prescription pain killers. They have tremendously negative side effects if taken over a long period of time that he would rather not experience on top of the pain. After seeing his sister get addicted to them after having surgery, he doesn't want to risk them destroying his life.