National Epidemic (01:49)

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Donald Trump promised to end Opioid addiction in his campaign for the presidency. Some experts believe that cannabis can help ameliorate symptoms of withdrawal. (Credits)

Pursuing His Dream (04:47)

Mike James, a player in the NFL is injured on Monday Night Football. His mother died in a car accident during his sophomore year. After breaking his leg, he was given a cocktail of opiates.

Dependent on Opioids (04:14)

James describes how he became immune to painkillers and decided to try cannabis. Kevin Turley uses marijuana to treat neurological issues. NFL players abuse opioids four times more frequently than the average population.

Doctors' Perspectives (02:42)

Mark Wallace is the director of the Center for Pain Management at the University of California: San Diego. Opioids were never meant to be used long-term. Dr. Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse explains that marketing kept doctors prescribing dangerous painkillers.

Mark Schecter's Story (02:21)

Schechter estimates that he took almost 40,000 opioid pills all prescribed by doctors after being diagnosed with a spinal disorder. Dr. Wallace recommends medical marijuana. Most doctors still favor opioid over cannabis.

Marijuana Dispensary (02:53)

Dr. Gupta tours Shango where 50 different types of cannabis are grown and harvested. Turley travels to Las Vegas to restock his marijuana monthly; patients need to experiment to find the correct dose and plant. Dr. Julie Howland explains how CBD reduces inflammation as well as pain.

Cannabis and Poppy (04:33)

Dr. Gupta describes how big business felt threatened by hemp and took it away from doctors. Marijuana is still a schedule one controlled substance. James finds strains that helped and files a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) with the NFL.

Cognition Altered (03:15)

Opioids damage glutamate receptors in the prefrontal cortex making it difficult to use good judgement. Dr. Yasmin Hurd studies differences between those addicted and a normal brain. Medication Assisted Treatment using Methadone or Suboxone has a higher success rate than abstinence.

Brain Research (03:28)

Cannabis can help with withdrawal symptoms. THC and CBD help cancer patients in treatment. Dr. Hurd is cautiously optimistic it can heal the brain, but obtaining federal funding is difficult.

Controversial Cannabis (04:17)

The Hash Bash rally is held every first Saturday of April in Ann Arbor Michigan. James speaks about the need for Cannabis regulation. Attorney General Jeff Sessions argues that marijuana is a gateway drug.

Zero Deaths (03:21)

No one has ever died from a marijuana overdose. Patrick Kennedy argues to follow protocol and obtaining Food and Drug Administration approval before using cannabis as replacement therapy for opioid addiction. The President's Commission did not advise any research.

First Cannabis-Based Drug (04:27)

Epidiolex will help children who suffer from epileptic seizures. Scott Gottlieb wants to examine if cannabidiol oil can help with other conditions. Dr. Dustin Sulock treats hundreds of people using cannabis to wean off opioids.

Conclusion: Weed 4: Pot vs. Pills (03:56)

Dr. Volkow argues for objective data; Roxanne Gallixen runs a pot-based substance abuse treatment center. Eric Breaky wants to add opioid addiction to the list of disorders that can be treated with medical marijuana. The NFL denies James' Therapeutic Use Exemption petition.