Summary: Marijuana use among U.S. adults aged 65 and older rose to a record 7% in 2023, representing nearly a 46% increase since 2021. The rise is most noticeable among college-educated, married, higher-income individuals, particularly women. Researchers note the trend is stronger in states that allow medical marijuana and among seniors with chronic health conditions, and they urge clinicians to screen and counsel older patients about potential risks and interactions.
A new analysis conducted by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the NYU School of Global Public Health, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, examines patterns of past-month cannabis use among adults 65 and older across 2021–2023. The study uses nationally representative data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to identify both the growth in use and changing sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of older cannabis users.
Key Facts:
- Sharp increase: Past-month cannabis use among adults 65+ climbed from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023.
- Demographic shifts: Use rose most among married, college-educated, higher-income older adults, with particularly notable increases among women.
- Health implications: Use is growing among seniors with multiple chronic conditions, raising concerns about drug interactions and disease management.
Study highlights
This is the first analysis able to reliably estimate past-month (current) cannabis use in the 65+ age group; previous years’ data were too sparse to measure current use accurately. The researchers report that 7% of older adults now report using cannabis in the past month, up from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022—nearly a 46% relative increase across two years. By comparison, less than 1% of older adults reported past-year cannabis use in 2006–2007, underscoring a substantial long-term rise.
Patterns of use have shifted. Increases were largest among older adults who are married, White, college-educated, and those reporting annual incomes of $75,000 or more. Although older men remain more likely overall to use cannabis than women, the percent increase among women was particularly steep during the study period. The researchers also found higher increases in states with legal medical cannabis compared with states without such laws, suggesting availability and social acceptance may be factors.
A concerning finding is the rise in cannabis use among seniors with chronic medical conditions. The study documents substantial increases in use among people with heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and especially among those reporting multiple chronic illnesses. The authors stress that cannabis can interact with age-related physiological changes and complicate treatment of chronic diseases, including interactions with prescription medications.
The investigators caution that part of the observed increase could reflect a cohort effect—that is, people who used cannabis earlier in life are now aging into the 65+ group. Still, the rise in current use and the changing user profile indicate the need for better clinical screening and patient education. Clinicians, particularly those in geriatrics and primary care, are advised to routinely ask older patients about cannabis use and discuss potential risks, side effects, and interactions with other therapies.
“Clinicians should be prepared to counsel older patients about cannabis,” said Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, associate professor at UC San Diego and lead author of the analysis. “While some older adults are interested in cannabis for symptom management, it can complicate disease care and may be harmful if patients are not informed about its risks.” Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, the study’s senior author, added that increased access and social acceptance, particularly in states with medical cannabis, likely contribute to the trend.
Funding and authorship
Co-authors include Kevin H. Yang (UC San Diego) and Charles Cleland (NYU Grossman School of Medicine). The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging. Specific grant numbers supported various investigators and the broader research program.
About this aging and cannabis research news
Author: Rachel Harrison
Source: NYU
Contact: Rachel Harrison – NYU
Image: The image is credited to Neuroscience News
Original research: “Trends in Past-Month Cannabis Use Among Older Adults” by Joseph Palamar et al., published in JAMA Internal Medicine (closed access).
Abstract
Trends in Past-Month Cannabis Use Among Older Adults
With broader availability and changing laws, interest in cannabis among older adults has grown, including for managing chronic symptoms. Earlier estimates showed past-year cannabis use rising from under 1% in 2005 to 4.2% in 2018 for adults aged 65 or older. This study estimates more recent changes in current (past-month) cannabis use among U.S. adults 65 and older and describes emerging sociodemographic and clinical characteristics in this population, based on nationally representative survey data from 2021–2023.