United States: Cannabis use among seniors up 75% since 2015

The number of elderly people who admit to having consumed Cannabis has increased considerably over the past five years, according to a new study by Grossman School of Medicine from New York University.

This study, recently published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, estimates that cannabis use among adults aged 65 and older increased by 75% between 2015 and 2018. The researchers used data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), an annual survey that asks Americans of all ages to self-report their drug use. In 2006, only 0.41% of older adults reported having used cannabis in the past year. In 2015, that percentage rose to 2.41%, and in 2018, it rose to 4.21%.

«Cannabis use among older adults doesn't fluctuate like other drugs,» said study co-author Joseph Palamar, an associate professor at NYU Grossman. «It's a straight line.» The study reports that older adults who were married, had more education, or had mental health issues were more likely to use cannabis than others. Women and minorities were also more likely to admit to using weed.

«Our study shows that cannabis use is increasingly popular nationwide among older adults,» declared lead author, Benjamin Han. «As more older adults are using cannabis, whether for medical or recreational purposes, it's important for health care providers to advise their patients despite the very limited evidence on the Advantages and disadvantages of cannabis consumption in older adults. »

«I was curious to see if it's people who are sicker, with, say, multiple chronic conditions, who try cannabis, or if it's healthier people, perhaps with a single health disorder,» Han explained to CNN. «And it seems to be healthier older people who are trying cannabis more.»

However, researchers have identified some concerning trends. The number of older adults who use cannabis and alcohol together—which could increase the risk of adverse side effects—has risen by 6.31%. The study also notes that the rate of cannabis use among older adults with diabetes increased by 180% between 2015 and 2018. «I don’t know why older adults with diabetes are using more and more cannabis,» Han said, noting that there is little evidence suggesting that the cannabis can treat diabetes.

«We believe consumption will continue to rise as the social acceptability of cannabis use increases among older populations,» Palamar said. «I think the majority of use by older individuals is medical, although we need more research to confirm that. I think older people who use cannabis do so for things like sleep.»

Palamar suggests that research focus on cannabis consumption by seniors, rather than simply following annual consumption increases. «It's 2020,» Palamar said. «Frankly, I don't think increasing cannabis consumption needs to be seen as a big problem.»