Study: Cannabis Use Among Older Adults Higher Than Ever

Older Americans are using cannabis at record levels, according to research
published in the monthly medical journal *JAMA Internal Medicine* that
found the number of cannabis consumers in the U.S. aged 65+ jumped over 40%
from 2021 to 2023.

Published Monday, the study included 15,689 adults aged 65 or older.
Respondents reported a significant increase in past-month cannabis use from
4.8% in 2021 to 7.0% in 2023. According to the study, increased cannabis
use among older Americans was most prevalent among women, white people,
people with a degree, people making $75,000 per year or more, people who
are married, and people who live in a state with legal medical cannabis
access. The study also found that cannabis use was more prevalent among
those with serious and chronic health conditions like cancer, diabetes,
hypertension, or heart conditions.

The researchers noted that adults with higher incomes started with the
lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023, they had the
highest prevalence.

Additionally, the researchers wrote that the “prevalence of tobacco and
excess alcohol use continues to be high among older adults who use
cannabis,” but that the results “do not suggest that concurrent use is
changing.”

Currently, 39 states have legalized medical cannabis access of some kind,
and 24 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized it for adult use.