I know from experience how damaging opiates can be, I'm a recovering addict. Started out as a medication for some minor pain in my back, the doctors were quick to prescribe painkillers. Not long after that it became a few hundred dollar a day habit. Nearly lost my house, my job, and my family. I know opiates help some people with pain management, but I've personally seen too many good people who used these drugs recreationally become full blown heroin addicts. Cannabis needs to be a choice for pain management, in my humble opinion. unfortunately with the stranglehold that big pharma has on our healthcare system, I don't forsee that happening in the near future.