Summary: Cannabis use among adults over 60 is the fastest-growing demographic in the United States. New research shows that this increase is driven less by a desire to “get high” and more by a search for improved quality of life—relief from chronic pain, better sleep, and help with mental health symptoms. Many older adults rely on word-of-mouth recommendations rather than clinical guidance when choosing products.
This study focused on edible cannabis products, which are often preferred by older adults because they are discreet and avoid inhalation. Findings indicate a clear need for better patient and clinician resources so older adults can make safer, more informed choices.
Key Research Findings
- Quality of life over intoxication: Older adults in the study reported using cannabis to reduce pain, improve sleep, and increase enjoyment of family time. Most explicitly stated they were not seeking a strong psychoactive high but rather functional symptom relief.
- Decisions driven by personal networks: Word-of-mouth recommendations from friends and family had a major influence on product choice. Formal conversations with healthcare providers were uncommon.
- Preference for combination products: While many perceived CBD-only products as primarily therapeutic and THC as mood-enhancing, the majority selected products that combined THC and CBD, viewing them as a balanced “Goldilocks” option.
- Edibles as the preferred form: The study specifically recruited people buying edible cannabis, a format older adults favor for discretion and to avoid respiratory exposure.
- Need for clinical tools: Because many older adults are already experimenting with non-pharmaceutical options, researchers call for better guidance and informational tools for clinicians and patients to ensure safer, evidence-based use.
Source: University of Utah
Why older adults turn to cannabis
Researchers from University of Utah Health and University of Colorado Boulder interviewed 169 adults aged 60 and older who were preparing to buy edible cannabis for the first time. The team aimed to understand motivations, product preferences, and how people decide what to purchase.
“Overall, participants wanted a better quality of life—less pain, better sleep, and more enjoyment of time with family and friends,” said Rebecca Delaney, PhD, assistant professor of population health sciences at U of U Health and the study’s first author. “They weren’t primarily motivated by getting high.”
Angela Bryan, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder and senior author, added that most interviewees were seeking to feel better functionally rather than experiencing strong psychoactive effects.
Many participants made choices based on positive stories from people they trust. As Delaney noted, “Word of mouth has a really big impact.” Conversations with medical providers were rare, indicating a gap that better educational materials could fill.
Choosing between CBD, THC, or both
Edible cannabis products can be CBD-dominant, THC-dominant, or a combination. Participants frequently viewed CBD-only options as therapeutic and low-risk, while associating THC with mood benefits but greater risk of psychoactive effects. Most participants, however, selected combination products, believing they delivered benefits from both cannabinoids without excessive intoxication.
Participants expressed uncertainty about ideal cannabinoid ratios for specific conditions. Combination products were often described as offering complementary effects, but determining the right balance remained a challenge.
Implications for clinical practice and public health
The study was conducted in Colorado, where recreational cannabis is legal, which may shape access and decision-making. Still, researchers believe the underlying motivations—seeking alternatives to pharmaceuticals for pain, sleep, and mental health—are likely similar in other states.
Findings underscore the need for clinicians to be aware that older adults are turning to edible cannabis for symptom management, often without clinical input. Developing concise, evidence-informed resources for patients and medical providers could help reduce risks such as inconsistent dosing or drug interactions and promote safer, more effective use.
“The ultimate goal is to develop resources that help people find products that meet their needs and to distill useful information for both patients and physicians,” Delaney said. Researchers encourage more open conversations between patients and clinicians so older adults feel supported when exploring alternative approaches to pain, sleep, and mental health.
Funding and publication: This research is published in JAMA Network Open as “Edible Cannabis and Pain, Sleep, and Mental Health Management in Older Adults.” The study received support from the National Institutes of Health (including the National Institute on Aging and the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences), the American Heart Association, and the University of Utah Office of Undergraduate Research. The content reflects the authors’ views and not necessarily the official positions of funding agencies.
Key questions answered
A: Many report limited informational resources and lingering stigma around cannabis in clinical settings. As a result, they often rely on advice from friends and family, which can lead to inconsistent dosing and potential interactions with other medications.
A: For many older adults, combining THC and CBD offers symptom relief while reducing strong psychoactive effects associated with high-THC products. However, clinical evidence on optimal ratios for specific conditions remains limited.
A: The researchers expect core motivations—managing pain, improving sleep, and addressing mental health—to persist regardless of legal status. As the population ages, demand for non-pharmaceutical alternatives is likely to grow.
Editorial notes
- This piece was edited by an editorial team and reviewed alongside the full journal paper.
- Additional context was provided to clarify clinical and practical implications.
About this research
Author: Sophia Friesen
Source: University of Utah
Contact: Sophia Friesen – University of Utah
Image: Image credit noted by the original publisher.
Original research: “Edible Cannabis and Pain, Sleep, and Mental Health Management in Older Adults” by Rebecca K. Delaney et al., published in JAMA Network Open. DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2026.11718
Abstract
Edible Cannabis and Pain, Sleep, and Mental Health Management in Older Adults
Importance: Older adults are the fastest-growing group of cannabis consumers in the U.S., often seeking relief from age-associated issues like pain and sleep disturbances and aiming to improve quality of life. Little is known about motivations and product choice for edible cannabis in this population.
Objectives: To explore why older adults in Colorado purchase edible cannabis to address sleep, pain, or mental health concerns and how they perceive benefits and drawbacks of CBD-dominant, THC-dominant, and combination products.
Design, Setting, and Participants: A community-based qualitative study conducted in Colorado from November 2021 to November 2023. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed. Participants were adults aged 60+ interested in using edible cannabis for sleep, pain, or mental health symptoms and completed interviews prior to selecting one of three edible product types.
Findings: Among 169 participants (mean age 70.8 years; 54% female), 57.5% chose a THC-CBD combination product, 28.7% chose CBD-dominant, and 13.8% chose THC-dominant. Motivations included avoiding pharmaceuticals, exhausting other options, emergent or worsening symptoms, and anecdotal or perceived evidence of benefit. Concerns included potential impairment with THC and perceived limited efficacy with CBD.
Conclusions: Older adults are turning to edible cannabis as an alternative approach to manage pain, sleep, and mental health symptoms. These results highlight the importance of clinician awareness and the development of accessible resources to support informed decision-making and safer use.