Legalizing medical marijuana seems to have the added benefit of reducing the number of deaths that occur as a result of overdoses on painkillers, a new study has found.

A report, published in JAMA Internal Medicine on Aug. 25, presents data that indicates a drop in overdose death rates of up to 25 percent a year in states that allow the use of medical marijuana. According to the research, this drop is seen in the year directly following the passing of laws permitting the medicinal use of the plant.

“We think that people with chronic pain may be choosing to treat their pain with marijuana rather than with prescription painkillers, in states where this is legal,” lead author, Dr. Marcus Bachhuber said.

The number of deaths from overdosing on painkillers has risen dramatically in recent decades. From 1999 to 2011, the rate has gone up a staggering 118 percent. In all states, this rate continues to increase annually. What researchers found when comparing data was that the total number of deaths in each state that allowed medical cannabis was an average of 25 percent lower than states where it was illegal. In some places, this reduction was as high as 33 percent after five years of legally accessible cannabis.

Some experts hesitate to assert such an association and even Bachhuber says that there is no way to account for all the variables that could be at work. However, additional findings within the data indicate that the relationship could be there and other studies have uncovered similar results.

The study found that programs meant to monitor the distribution of narcotic painkillers saw a reduction in death rates of 3.7 percent while programs directed toward overseeing pain management clinics produce a decline of 7.6 percent. Requiring identification to pick up painkiller prescriptions garnered a reduction of 5 percent.

Though some would claim that the potential for abuse of medical marijuana is a very real risk, the chances of addiction, overdose and death with medical marijuana are far less than with prescription opioids, experts say.