Marijuana use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older has surged to a historic high of 7%, marking a dramatic increase of nearly 46% between 2021 and 2023. This growing trend is particularly notable among older adults who are college-educated, married, and belong to higher-income brackets, especially women. Furthermore, the rise in cannabis consumption is more pronounced in states where medical marijuana is legalized and among seniors managing chronic health conditions.
According to a study led by researchers from the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the NYU School of Global Public Health, the percentage of adults aged 65 and older who reported using cannabis in the past month has risen significantly. The findings, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, reveal that this demographic has shifted notably, with increases in usage among those who are married, female, affluent, and educated.
“Our study demonstrates that cannabis use among older adults is on the rise, with substantial shifts based on demographic and socioeconomic factors,” said Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the study’s senior author. The research indicates that most Americans now reside in states where marijuana is legal for medical, recreational, or both uses.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, focusing on adults aged 65 and older from 2021 to 2023. Participants were asked about their past-month cannabis use, which is defined as “current” use. “This study marks the first time we could assess ‘current’ cannabis use among this age group,” explained Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, the study’s first author and an associate professor at UC San Diego.
The data revealed that current cannabis use among older adults climbed to 7% in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, representing a near 46% increase over two years. “Historically, less than 1% of older adults used cannabis in the past year as recently as 2006 and 2007; now, 7% have reported using it in the past month,” Han noted.
Certain groups experienced sharper increases in cannabis use, particularly married older adults, those with higher incomes, and individuals with a college education. While older men are still more likely to use cannabis than women, there has been a noticeable increase among older women as well.
The study also found that cannabis use grew more significantly among those living in states where medical marijuana is legal. “It’s not surprising that cannabis use is becoming more prevalent in states that allow medical cannabis, likely due to increased availability and social acceptability,” Palamar stated.
Moreover, the research highlighted significant increases in cannabis usage among seniors suffering from chronic diseases, including heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The authors caution that the overall increase in cannabis use may partly stem from older adults who have long used cannabis and are now aging into the 65+ category.
Given these trends, researchers recommend that healthcare providers screen and educate older patients regarding cannabis use. They emphasize the importance of understanding how age-related physiological changes can affect sensitivity to psychoactive substances. “As a geriatrician, I encounter more patients interested in using cannabis for chronic health symptoms. However, cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and could pose risks if patients are not properly educated,” Han advised.
The study was co-authored by Kevin H. Yang of UC San Diego and Charles Cleland of NYU Grossman School of Medicine. The research received funding from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
In summary, as the landscape of marijuana use continues to evolve, especially among older adults, it becomes increasingly important to address the potential health implications and ensure that this population is well-informed about the risks and benefits of cannabis.
