As I understand it, the FDA can change the labelin

As I understand it, the FDA can change the labeling of drugs, or demand they be taken off the market. If the FDA would take a serious look at cannabis based drugs I suspect that they would find many suitable replacements for opoids. Blaming the drug makers for selling drugs that the FDA approved is rather like blaming gasoline makers for car accidents.

I don't know that opoids can be completely eliminated, but with labeling changes their uses could be greatly restricted. While I'm not for telling Doctor's how to practice medicine, those who clearly are abusing the system by essentially becoming drug suppliers ought to lose their license. Perhaps the same thing should be said for Doctor's who issue script for cannabis drugs without ever seeing a patient. A far better solution is permitting our regular M.D.'s to prescribe a variety of cannabis based drugs that are accepted by the FDA, and get Doctor's to recognize they're superior to what they're prescribing. In many cases they may not need a prescription because what they should be recommending is available over the counter.

With just a little rethinking, cannabis based products like OWCP's sublingual tablet could be available off the shelf like aspirin, Tylenol, etc are, though some requirements may limit who can buy them, such as age levels. While it may very well be possible that our sublingual tablet may benefit autistic children, they'll need a prescription to take it, even if others don't. With a prescription, whether minor or adult, the drug may be covered by insurance and be cheaper to the patient than if purchased over the counter.

Gary