A growing body of research indicates the increasing use of cannabis among older Americans is leading to notable health concerns, especially as they age and contend with chronic health issues.
Rising Use in Older Adults
According to a recent report, approximately 7 percent of adults aged 65 and older reported using cannabis in 2023—more than double the rate of 4.8 percent recorded in 2021, and a striking increase from under 1 percent in 2005. Experts attribute this trend to expanded legalization—39 U.S. states now permit cannabis for medical use, with 24 also allowing recreational use—as well as growing societal acceptance and industry-driven marketing efforts targeting older demographics.
Why Seniors Are Turning to Cannabis
Older adults are increasingly turning to cannabis in hopes of alleviating chronic pain, insomnia, heart-related anxiety, and other persistent ailments . However, scientific consensus regarding cannabis’s therapeutic benefits remains limited, prompting concern among healthcare professionals.
Balancing Benefits with Elevated Risks
Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician and addiction specialist at UC San Diego, issued a cautionary note: “Our brains are more sensitive to psychoactive substances as we age”. Numerous studies support this wariness:
- Increased emergency visits related to cannabis, with older users significantly more likely to require acute medical care.
- Falls, anxiety, palpitations, and risky drug interactions impacting individuals already managing cardiac issues .
- A notable Canadian study found cannabis-related acute care in older adults led to increased dementia diagnoses in the following five years.
Veteran Population Displays High Rate of Use Disorder
In a sample of older veterans (average age 73), over 10 percent reported current cannabis use, and among these, more than 36 percent met diagnostic criteria for cannabis use disorder—a concern exacerbated by comorbidities such as PTSD.
Potency, Marketing, and Education
Cannabis products available today often have much higher THC concentrations than in the past, heightening potential adverse effects. Additionally, dispensaries are increasingly deploying senior-targeted promotional strategies, such as discounts and educational workshops, sometimes with insufficient guidance regarding safer usage .
An Urgent Call for Research and Safer Guidance
With legalization broadening access, experts are urging policymakers to strengthen product labeling, implement dosage guidelines tailored to older users, and foster practitioner awareness. The overarching message:
“If you view cannabis as a medicine, you should be open to the idea that there are groups who probably shouldn’t use it,” Dr. Daniel Myran of the Bruyère Health Research Institute reflected.
Final Thoughts
As more older adults seek relief through cannabis, it is vital to approach usage with informed caution. The combination of elevated potency, unique physiological vulnerabilities among seniors, and a relative scarcity of robust clinical guidance underscores the need for balanced discourse—and targeted research—to help them make safe, effective choices.
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