Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine (Verge) Published: February 2020 n = 14,000 U.S. adults

Source: JAMA Internal Medicine (Verge)
Published: February 2020
n = 14,000 U.S. adults

Cannabis Use Among Older Adults

Circulated: March 5, 2020

The percentage of U.S. adults over the age of 65 who used some form of cannabis in the past year was 75% higher in 2018 than 2015 (4.2% and 2.4%). In 2006, just 0.4% of people 65+ reported using cannabis. The rise was highest among racial and ethnic minorities (+336%), those previously treated for mental health issues (+157%), and women (+93%).

“Ten years ago, no one asked me about cannabis use ever. Now, it’s a very common question when I’m in the clinic. There’s a lot of interest,” says Dr. Benjamin Han of the New York University School of Medicine (study author and genriatrician)