Cannabis use among seniors surges 46% in two years - Study reveals

Cannabis use among adults age 65 and older increased sharply in the United States, reaching about 7% reporting past-month use in 2023, compared with 4.8% in 2021 (nearly a 46% increase over two years). The study also found that cannabis users in this age group look different than before. Older users are more likely to be women, college-educated, married, and higher-income, and increases were especially pronounced among people living in states with medical marijuana laws. Researchers using National Survey on Drug Use and Health data (2021-2023) report that current use estimates became large enough to analyze in this age bracket for the first time. They further observed larger growth among older adults with chronic illnesses, including heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, while noting clinicians should screen, educate, and consider age-related sensitivity and risks.