Marijuana use among older adults in the United States has reached an unprecedented peak, signaling a profound shift in the habits and perceptions of the nation\u2019s aging population. According to a new analysis led by researchers at the Center for Drug Use and HIV\/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the NYU School of Global Public Health, approximately 7 percent of adults aged 65 and older now report using cannabis within the past month. This surge marks a significant acceleration in a trend that has been building for nearly two decades, transforming the landscape of substance use among a demographic once considered the least likely to consume the drug.<\/p>\n
The findings, published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em>, offer a comprehensive look at the changing profile of the modern cannabis consumer. The data reveals that the stereotypical image of the marijuana user is increasingly at odds with current reality. Rather than being confined to younger generations or specific subcultures, cannabis use is now becoming more prevalent among older adults who are college-educated, married, female, and possess higher annual incomes. This shift suggests that for many seniors, marijuana is no longer viewed through the lens of counterculture stigma but is instead being integrated into the lifestyles of more affluent, established, and socially active members of the population.<\/p>\n "Our study shows that cannabis use among older adults continues to increase, although there have been major shifts in use according to demographic and socioeconomic factors," said Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, an affiliated researcher with CDUHR, and the senior author of the study.<\/p>\n To grasp the magnitude of this evolution, researchers analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health spanning 2021 through 2023. By focusing on respondents aged 65 and older, the study sought to capture a precise snapshot of "current" use\u2014defined as consumption within the past 30 days. This methodology represents a significant advancement in public health research, as previous surveys often lacked the sample size necessary to accurately measure monthly use within this specific age bracket, frequently forcing researchers to rely on broader, less granular "past-year" metrics.<\/p>\n "This is the first time we were able to examine ‘current’ use of cannabis in this age group," explained Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, the study\u2019s first author and an associate professor and associate chief of research in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care at the University of California San Diego. "Before, we were only able to look at past-year use because the numbers for current use were too small."<\/p>\n The statistical evidence of this growth is striking. In 2021, current cannabis use among older adults stood at 4.8 percent. By 2022, that figure rose to 5.2 percent, and by 2023, it climbed to 7 percent. This represents a nearly 46 percent increase in just two years\u2014a rapid escalation that underscores how quickly societal norms and access have evolved. When viewed against a longer historical horizon, the transformation is even more dramatic. In 2006 and 2007, less than 1 percent of adults aged 65 and older reported using cannabis in the past year. The jump from less than 1 percent annually to 7 percent monthly highlights a fundamental change in the relationship between the elderly and cannabis.<\/p>\n The study also identified distinct demographic patterns that suggest marijuana use is filtering through different layers of society at varying speeds. While the increase is broad, certain groups experienced notably sharper rises. Married individuals, white respondents, those with college degrees, and those with household incomes of at least $75,000 all saw accelerated rates of use. Furthermore, while men remain more likely to use cannabis than women, the rate of increase among older women has been particularly steep, suggesting that the gender gap in usage is narrowing.<\/p>\n Geographic and socioeconomic factors appear to play a critical role in these trends. With the vast majority of Americans now living in states where marijuana has been legalized for medical or recreational purposes, accessibility and social acceptability have fundamentally altered the decision-making process for older adults. The researchers noted that cannabis use grew more significantly among those living in states with established medical marijuana programs compared to those in jurisdictions where the drug remains illegal.<\/p>\n "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," Palamar noted. He also pointed to a fascinating reversal in income-based trends: "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."<\/p>\n The motivations behind this spike are complex, but the data suggests that health concerns are a primary driver. The researchers found a significant uptick in cannabis use among older adults managing chronic health conditions, including heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Many of these individuals are navigating multiple chronic illnesses simultaneously, leading some to seek out cannabis as a potential tool for managing symptoms or mitigating the side effects of traditional pharmaceutical regimens.<\/p>\n However, the study authors emphasize that this trend is not entirely driven by new users. Part of the increase can be attributed to the "aging into" effect, where individuals who were already cannabis users earlier in life are now entering the 65-plus age demographic. Regardless of whether these users are lifelong consumers or new initiates, the researchers stress that the healthcare system is currently ill-equipped to handle this influx of older users.<\/p>\n The potential for adverse interactions is a major concern for geriatricians. As the body ages, physiological changes can significantly alter how substances are processed, often making older adults more sensitive to psychoactive compounds like THC. The combination of cannabis with medications used to treat chronic diseases can lead to complex interactions, increased risks of falls, cognitive impairment, or cardiovascular strain.<\/p>\n "As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms," Dr. Han said. "But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks."<\/p>\n Given these findings, the study authors are calling for a more proactive approach from the medical community. They recommend that clinicians make a concerted effort to screen older patients for cannabis use and provide education regarding the risks. Open, non-judgmental conversations between doctors and patients are essential to ensure that older adults understand the potential physiological impact of cannabis, especially in the context of their existing health profiles.<\/p>\n The research, which also involved contributions from Kevin H. Yang of UC San Diego and Charles Cleland of NYU Grossman School of Medicine, was supported by several grants from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging. As the population continues to age and the legal status of marijuana continues to evolve across the U.S., the intersection of geriatric health and cannabis use is poised to become a major focus of public health policy and clinical practice in the years to come.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Marijuana use among older adults in the United States has reached an unprecedented peak, signaling a profound shift in the habits and perceptions of the nation\u2019s aging population. 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