Cannabis Use in Seniors: Record Highs & New Study Findings
- A recent analysis indicates that marijuana use among older adults in the United States has surged.
- The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also reveals shifts in the demographics of cannabis users.
- Joseph Palamar,associate professor at NYU Grossman school of Medicine and CDUHR researcher,noted the continuing increase in cannabis use among older adults,along with major shifts based on demographic and...
A new study reveals that marijuana use among older adults is surging, reaching a record high of 7% in 2023.This meaningful increase, up nearly 46% in just two years, highlights evolving trends in cannabis use among this demographic.News Directory 3 unpacks how factors like marital status, education, and income correlate with increased usage, alongside the influence of medical marijuana legalization. Moreover, the research highlights a rise in use among seniors dealing with chronic health conditions.Clinicians are urged to screen and educate their patients. discover what’s next for the long-term health implications.
Marijuana Use Among Older Adults Reaches New High
Updated June 05, 2025
A recent analysis indicates that marijuana use among older adults in the United States has surged. Seven percent of adults aged 65 and over reported using cannabis in the past month, according to research from the NYU School of Global Public Health’s Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR).
The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, also reveals shifts in the demographics of cannabis users. There’s been a notable increase in marijuana use among older adults who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes. This signals a change in who is using cannabis in older age.
Joseph Palamar,associate professor at NYU Grossman school of Medicine and CDUHR researcher,noted the continuing increase in cannabis use among older adults,along with major shifts based on demographic and socioeconomic factors. The study examined data from the National Survey on drug Use and Health from 2021 to 2023, focusing on respondents aged 65 and older.
Benjamin Han, associate professor at the University of California San Diego, highlighted that this is the first time researchers could examine “current” cannabis use in this age group, defined as past-month use. Previous data only allowed for analysis of past-year use due to smaller sample sizes.
the research team found that current cannabis use among older adults climbed to 7% in 2023, a significant jump from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022. This represents a nearly 46% increase in just two years, demonstrating a rapid rise in marijuana consumption among this demographic.
Han pointed out the dramatic shift over time, noting that less than 1% of older adults used cannabis in the past year in 2006 and 2007. Now, 7% have used it in the past month alone, marking a substantial increase in marijuana consumption.
Certain groups experienced more pronounced increases. These include older adults who are married, white, have a college degree, and have an income of at least $75,000. Older women also showed a steep increase in cannabis use,although older men are still more likely to use it overall.The study underscores the evolving landscape of marijuana use and older adults.
Furthermore, cannabis use increased more among those living in states where medical marijuana is legal, compared to states where it is not. This suggests that access and social acceptance play a role in the rising rates of use.
“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,” said Palamar.
Palamar also noted the interesting trend regarding income. in 2021, those with the highest incomes had the lowest prevalence of cannabis use. However, by 2023, this group had the highest prevalence, potentially indicating access to medical cannabis given its costs.
The study also revealed significant increases in cannabis use by older adults with chronic diseases, including heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.This raises concerns about potential interactions and complications.
The authors caution that the overall increases might potentially be partly driven by individuals who use cannabis aging into the 65+ age bracket during the study period. They recommend that clinicians screen and educate their older patients about cannabis use, emphasizing that physiological changes with aging can increase sensitivity to psychoactive substances. This is crucial for ensuring patient safety and well-being.
“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,” said Han.
What’s next
Future research should focus on the long-term health effects of marijuana use among older adults, and also the impact of legalization on consumption patterns. further studies are needed to understand the potential benefits and risks of cannabis use in this population.