Stoned seniors? Weed use among old hits record high

By Stephen Beech

Cannabis use among older people has hit a record high, according to new research.

Around one in 14 adults (7%) aged 65 and over in the United States reported using the drug in the past month - an increase of more than 45% in just two years.

The figure was below 1% less than 20 years ago, according to the research team.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also show that the profile of those who use cannabis has changed in recent years- with "pronounced" increases in use by older people who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes.

The research was led by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the New York University School of Global Public Health.

Study senior author Professor Joseph Palamar said: “Our study shows that cannabis use among older adults continues to increase, although there have been major shifts in use according to demographic and socio-economic factors.”

Most Americans today live in states where marijuana has been legalized for medical use, recreational use, or both.

The research team analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021 to 2023.

The respondents, who were 65 and older, were asked about cannabis use in the previous month, which was defined as “current” use.

Study first author Professor Benjamin Han, of the University of California, San Diego, said: “This is the first time we were able to examine ‘current’ use of cannabis in this age group.

"Before, we were only able to look at past-year use because the numbers for current use were too small."

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The research team found that current cannabis use among older adults grew to 7% in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022 - a near 46% increase in only two years.

Han, an affiliated researcher with CDUHR, said: “If we look even further back to 2006 and 2007, less than 1% of older adults used cannabis in the past year.

"Now, we’re seeing that 7% have used it in the past month alone.”

The findings show that certain groups of older adults experienced sharper increases in use than others, including those who are married, white, have a college degree, and have an income of at least $75,000.

Older women also saw a steep increase in cannabis use, although older men are still more likely than women to use the drug.

Cannabis use grew more among those living in states where medical marijuana is legal compared to states where it is not, according to the findings.

Palamar said: “It shouldn't be surprising that use is becoming increasingly more common among people who live in states that allow medical cannabis, which could be due to increased availability or social acceptability.

“Interestingly, with respect to income, those with the highest incomes had the lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023 this group had the highest prevalence, which may indicate who has access to medical cannabis given its costs.”

The study also revealed "significant" increases in cannabis use by older adults with chronic diseases - and notably, those with multiple chronic conditions- including heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (CPOD).

The research team says that the overall increases may be driven, in part, by those who use cannabis aging into the 65+ age bracket for the period studied.

They recommend that doctors screen and educate their older patients about cannabis use, including how physiological changes that accompany aging can make people more sensitive to psychoactive substances.

Han added: “As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms.

"But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks."