Summary: Use of cannabis among adults aged 60 and older is the fastest-growing demographic group in the United States. Until recently, little was known about why older adults choose cannabis, which products they select, and how they make those choices. A new qualitative study shows that most older adults are motivated by a desire to improve quality of life — reducing pain, improving sleep, and supporting mental health — rather than seeking psychoactive effects.
Many older adults report relying on personal recommendations from friends and family rather than clinical guidance when deciding which cannabis products to try. The study focused specifically on edible products, which this population often prefers because they are discreet and do not require inhalation.
Key Research Findings
- Quality of life, not euphoria: Older adults primarily use cannabis to relieve chronic pain, improve sleep, and enhance enjoyment of social time; they generally do not want a strong “high.”
- Decisions guided by word-of-mouth: Personal anecdotes from peers strongly influence product choice. Conversations with health care providers were uncommon, indicating a gap in clinical support and patient education.
- Preference for combination products: While CBD-only products are seen as primarily therapeutic and THC is associated with mood effects, most participants selected products containing both THC and CBD, describing them as a balanced “Goldilocks” option.
- Edibles as the preferred format: Edible cannabis was emphasized for its discreet, non-respiratory delivery, making it appealing for older consumers.
- Need for clinician resources: Researchers call for better tools and information to help physicians discuss cannabis safely with older patients who are already seeking non-pharmaceutical approaches.
Source: University of Utah
What motivated older adults to try edible cannabis?
Researchers from University of Utah Health and University of Colorado Boulder interviewed 169 adults aged 60 and older who were preparing to purchase edible cannabis for the first time. The interviews explored motivations, expectations, and product choices for managing pain, sleep problems, or mental health concerns.
Participants consistently described a desire for improved quality of life. As Rebecca Delaney, PhD, assistant professor of population health sciences at U of U Health and the study’s first author, explains, many older adults wanted less pain, better sleep, and a greater ability to enjoy time with family and friends. Angela Bryan, PhD, professor of psychology and neuroscience at CU Boulder and senior author on the study, added that most were not pursuing a psychoactive experience; they simply wanted to feel better and function better in daily life.
Word-of-mouth recommendations were a frequent driver of interest. Many participants reported hearing positive stories about cannabis from friends or relatives, which shaped expectations and product choices. In contrast, few people reported consulting health care providers before purchasing edibles, highlighting an opportunity for improved clinician–patient communication and educational materials tailored to older adults.
CBD vs. THC vs. Combination: How choices were made
Edible cannabis products vary by cannabinoid profile: CBD-dominant, THC-dominant, or a THC-CBD combination. In the study, 96 participants (57.5%) selected a combination product, 48 (28.7%) selected a CBD-dominant product, and 23 (13.8%) selected a THC-dominant product. Participants often associated CBD-only products with fewer psychoactive effects and therapeutic benefits, while THC was described as more likely to affect mood.
Combination products were commonly chosen because they were perceived to deliver the benefits of both cannabinoids while moderating the intensity of THC’s psychoactive effects. However, several participants noted uncertainty about the optimal THC:CBD ratio for specific conditions such as arthritis or chronic insomnia, underscoring the need for clinical evidence and clearer dosing guidance.
Implications for clinical care and policy
The study was conducted in Colorado, where recreational cannabis is legal, so decision-making patterns may differ in states with medical-only or restricted access. Nevertheless, authors believe the core motivations — seeking relief from pain, sleep problems, and mental health symptoms — are likely similar across jurisdictions.
These findings carry clear implications for clinicians, public health professionals, and policymakers: older adults are increasingly interested in cannabis as a non-pharmaceutical option, yet they often lack reliable information and clinical guidance. Developing accessible, evidence-based resources for both patients and providers can help ensure safer, more informed decision-making about edible cannabis use among older adults.
Delaney emphasizes that the study provides a baseline understanding of older adults’ knowledge and concerns, which can inform patient education, clinical conversations, and future research to determine effective cannabinoid ratios and dosing strategies for age-related conditions.
This research appears in JAMA Network Open under the title “Edible Cannabis and Pain, Sleep, and Mental Health Management in Older Adults.”
Key Questions Answered
A: Many older adults perceive a lack of reliable information or worry about lingering stigma in medical settings, so they rely on word-of-mouth recommendations. This can lead to inconsistent dosing and potential interactions with other medications.
A: Many participants felt that a balanced THC-CBD product provided symptom relief while minimizing strong psychoactive effects. Scientific evidence is still limited on optimal ratios for specific conditions, so more research is needed.
A: The authors expect the underlying motivations—managing pain, sleep, and mental health—to persist even where access is restricted. As the population ages, demand for alternative, non-pharmaceutical options is likely to grow.
Editorial Notes
- This article was edited by a Neuroscience News editor.
- The journal paper was reviewed in full for accuracy.
- Additional explanatory context was provided by the editorial staff.
About this research on cannabis, aging, and health
Author: Sophia Friesen
Source: University of Utah
Contact: Sophia Friesen – University of Utah
Image: Image credited to Neuroscience News
Original Research: Open access. “Edible Cannabis and Pain, Sleep, and Mental Health Management in Older Adults” by Rebecca K. Delaney, Melissa H. Watt, Madeline Stanger, Isabelle Hong, Nehal K. Bakshi, Angela Fagerlin, and Angela Bryan. 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-related conditions such as chronic pain and insomnia. Despite rising use, little is known about motivations and product selection 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 to understand perceptions of CBD-dominant, THC-dominant, and THC-CBD combination products.
Design, Setting, and Participants
This community-based qualitative study was conducted in Colorado from November 2021 to November 2023 as part of a larger clinical trial. Researchers conducted audio-recorded, transcribed interviews with a convenience sample of 169 adults aged 60 or older who planned to use edible cannabis for sleep, pain, or mental health symptoms. Interviews took place before participants purchased one of three edible product types.
Exposure
Use of edible cannabis products.
Main Outcomes and Measures
Primary outcomes were self-reported motivations for cannabis use and perceived benefits and drawbacks of different cannabinoid profiles, assessed through semistructured interviews prior to purchase.
Results
Among 169 participants (mean [SD] age, 70.8 [5.8] years; 89 female [54%]), 96 (57.5%) chose a THC-CBD combination product, 48 (28.7%) chose a CBD-dominant product, and 23 (13.8%) chose a THC-dominant product. Primary motivations included avoiding pharmaceuticals, having exhausted other options, new or worsening symptoms, and hearing claims of benefit from peers. Concerns about impairment were the most common drawback for THC and combination products, while limited perceived efficacy was the main drawback for CBD-only products. Participants viewed combination products as offering dual benefits but reported difficulty identifying ideal cannabinoid ratios.
Conclusions and Relevance
Older adults are turning to edible cannabis as an alternative strategy to manage pain, sleep, and mental health concerns. These findings underscore the need for clinicians to be aware of older adults’ motivations and concerns and to provide evidence-based counseling and resources to support informed decision-making.
Funding: Supported by 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. Content is the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent official NIH views.