A new poll shows that 21% of people aged 50 years and up used cannabis in the last year, with 12% taking the substance at least once per month. The poll was conducted by the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan.
“With some form of cannabis use now legalized in 38 states and on the ballot this November in several others, and the federal rescheduling process under way, cannabis use is likely to grow. But as this poll shows, it is not risk-free, and more attention is needed to identify and reduce those risks,” said faculty collaborator Erin E. Bonar, Ph.D., an addiction psychologist at the University of Michigan, in a press release.
For the study, the researchers asked a national sample of adults aged 50 and older in February and March about their cannabis use, reasons for use, risky behaviors, and whether they talked about their use with healthcare providers.
Ultimately, they found that 21% of adults aged 50 and older use cannabis, including flowers, vapes, edibles, and dabs. Altogether, 9% of adults reported using the substance once or twice, and 12% at least once a month. Meanwhile, 79% of people aged 50 and older reported not using cannabis in the past year.
The researchers further found that older people with fair or poor physical health, those aged 50-64, and those with household incomes under $60,000 were more likely to use cannabis than older adults with better physical health, those aged 65 years and older, and those with household incomes of $60,000 or more.
Among cannabis users, 81% reported using the substance to relax, 68% to help with sleep, 64% as they enjoy the effects/ feel good, 63% for pain relief, and 53% for mental health and mood. 40% also reported cannabis use to treat a medical condition, 31% to connect with others or make a social gathering more fun, 26% to celebrate, and 18% to experiment.
Among older adults who used cannabis at least once a month, some reported signs or behaviors in the last year that may indicate dependence. Altogether, 22% used more cannabis to feel the effects they wanted, 21% found that using the same amount was less effective than it used to be, 17% increased their use, and 13% had strong desires or cravings.
Moreover, 20% of older adults who used cannabis within the last year reported driving within two hours of use at least once. The same was true for 27% of those who used cannabis at least once per month.
“Even if your doctor, nurse practitioner or pharmacist doesn’t ask if you’re using cannabis products, it’s important to offer this information, no matter whether you’re using it to address a physical or mental health concern, or simply for pleasure,” said poll director Jeffrey Kullgren, M.D., M.P.H., M.S, a primary care physician at the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System and associate professor of internal medicine at the University of Michigan.
“Many prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs, as well as alcohol, can interact with cannabis and cause unexpected or unwanted effects. And there are only a few conditions where we have good evidence of a medical benefit from cannabis, though this could change with time," he added.
Sources: EurekAlert, University of Michigan