A new study shows that the proportion of older adults who use cannabis has quadrupled over the past 20 years.
Given the increasing availability of legal cannabis, older adults have increased interest in using it for a range of chronic health conditions – and/or recreationally.
A recent research note shows that the increase in cannabis use in this group has increased from less than 1.0% to 4,2%.
The new study by researchers from the San Diego School of Medicine and NYU Grossman School of Medicine included 15,689 adults aged 65+ and found prevalence of past-month cannabis use among older adults increased significantly from 4.8% in 2021 to 7.0% in 2023.
Cannabis use in the past month was also associated with certain conditions. It was particularly associated with chronic respiratory disease (6.4% – 13.5%). However, increased prevalence of cannabis use was also linked to heart conditions, diabetes and hypertension.
Researchers warn that while some studies indicate medical cannabis can be effective and safe for older people, those products with psychoactive effects, such as THC-containing products, may complicate the management of chronic diseases.
The authors note that “While evidence supporting cannabis’ medical use among older adults is mixed, it remains more prevalent than ever.” The authors state that older adults may be more susceptible to cannabis’ adverse effects due to physiological changes or chronic illnesses. This could require immediate medical attention. Clinicians may want to screen older patients and educate them about the risks associated with cannabis.
The researchers note among the limitations of their study was a lack of sampling of institutionalised populations and that it didn’t include the range of cannabis use – such as frequency, recreational vs. medical use, and cannabinoid type.
In a separate study, published in 2020, it was found that cannabis is used primarily for medicinal purposes by seniors. Nearly half of this group use cannabidiol only products.
This is a research letter has been published JAMA Internal Medicine.