More than half of U.S. states have legalized cannabis for medical and/or recreational use. Pot dispensaries are popping up like daisies and cannabis has become a part of the mainstream conversation. To put it bluntly, Mary Jane is becoming a friend of younger and older adults alike. As a result, researchers from the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation (IHPI) at the University of Michigan set out to gauge the popularity of cannabis among older Americans age 50 and over.
Cannabis is a complex, psychoactive plant. It contains roughly 540 chemical substances, 100 being cannabinoids. The most well-known of these are THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), the compound that is addictive and creates the feeling of being “high”, and cannabidiol (CBD). From the stem to the flower to the seed, the plant has been picked apart for the different benefits and effects each component can offer.
While cannabis and marijuana are often used synonymously, cannabis refers to products derived from the plant Cannabis sativa, which contains substantial amounts of THC, while cannabis plants containing small amounts of THC are considered “industrial hemp” rather than “marijuana” under U.S. law.1 In surveying a national sample of adults aged 50 and over using these poll questions, the National Poll on Health Aging Team at IHPI solely asked participants in February and March 2024 about their use of products containing THC, not CBD-only products. The questions aimed to learn about this demographic’s cannabis use, reasons for using, risky behaviors, and whether or not they discussed usage with their healthcare providers. Let’s explore the who, what, and why further.
Who’s Using and How Often?
While 79% of adults aged 50 and older did not use cannabis in the past year, 21% said they did (in the form of flower, vapes, edibles, and/or dabs). Of those who reported using, 9% used once or twice in the past year and 12% used once a month in the past year. Out of those who used once a month, 56% discussed cannabis use with their healthcare providers, while 44% did not.
Moreover, health and income played a role in the frequency of use. Older adults who were between the ages of 50 and 64, reported fair to poor physical health, and had a household income of under $60,000 were more likely to use cannabis than those who were over 65, in better physical health, and made $60,000 or more.
What Types of Cannabis Products Are They Using?
Edibles and beverages were the most popular (74%) with flower coming in at a close second (58%). Other cannabis-containing products that older adults reported using were lotions and skincare products (34%) and vapes (26%). Dabs, butane hash oil, or other concentrations were the least popular (19%).
Why Are They Using?
The key highlights of the survey revealed the top five reasons behind why older adults choose to use cannabis-containing products: to relax (81%), to help with sleep (68%), to enjoy the effects and feel good (64%), to help with pain relief (63%), and to help mental health and mood (53%). Other reasons (ranking 40% or below) were to attempt to treat a medical condition, to make a social gathering more fun and connect with others, to celebrate, and to experiment.
Additional Cannabis Considerations
Marijuana isn’t just “a young person’s drug.” Furthermore, the reasons they’re choosing to use invites a conversation around the risks of use. These include addiction and dependency, impaired driving, reduced brain function, and adverse physical effects depending on the product being used. Additionally, it calls attention to safety precautions to take while under the influence.
It’s important to note that cannabis is not addictive the same way other substances like alcohol, opioids, and nicotine are. However, using cannabis at a high dose and with regularity can lead to psychological dependence for some individuals. Moreover, some users may develop a condition known as cannabis use disorder. When tapering off after heavy or long-term use, some people may experience irritability, sleep disturbances, decreased appetite, and cravings. So, while cannabis can lead to dependence, it skews more psychological in nature. Physical withdrawal symptoms are relatively mild and acute compared to those experienced with other chemically addictive substances.
Interestingly, the poll reveals that misconceptions around cannabis and its addictive tendencies are prevalent among the older adult population. As stated:”…28% of older adults in [the] poll did not think [cannabis can be addictive]. In fact, [the IPHI] poll found that many adults age 50 and older who used cannabis regularly experienced key signs of cannabis dependence, like tolerance or strong cravings. Moreover, some older adults think cannabis is not stronger today than it was 20 or 30 years ago. However, the strength of cannabis has grown dramatically since the 1990s.”2
So, What Can We Conclude?
If older adults who use cannabis hold these misconceptions yet cite using cannabis-containing products to relax, deal with pain, and/or address mental health symptoms, then this suggests more cannabis education targeted at this demographic should be prioritized. While 64% of users simply enjoy the effects and sensation of getting high, over 50% cited using to improve an adverse feeling or state of being. This suggests the substance is being used like a bandaid or acute coping mechanism (intentionally or unintentionally) by older adults. In the overview of implications, the IHPI encourages long-term solutions that may lead to better outcomes: “Although cannabis may offer promise to some individuals, other services like counseling or psychotherapy and programs that foster social connection may be more effective and pose fewer health risks.”3
Overall, this newfound data can influence and shape how family members, friends, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community and social service organizations discuss cannabis and its use moving forward. The data here is a useful starting point to implement actionable steps and resources. Such work can enable those experimenting with or incorporating cannabis-containing products into their routine to be educated and use responsibly.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Cannabis (Marijuana) and Cannabinoids: What You Need to Know. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/cannabis-marijuana-and-cannabinoids-what-you-need-to-know.
- Bonar E.E., Strunk S., Singer D., Box N., Solway E., Roberts S., Malani P., Smith E., & Kullgren J. How Older Adults Use, Think About, and Discuss Cannabis. University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. September 2024. Available at https://dx.doi.org/10.7302/24238.
- See Footnote 2.