Cannabis consumption among older adults is sharply increasing
Quelle: VIDEOELEPHANT (Glomex)
According to new research in the "JAMA Internal Medicine" journal, cannabis consumption among individuals aged 65 and older increased by almost 46% between 2021 and 2023. Researchers analyzed data from the "National Survey on Drug Use and Health" study from 2021 and 2023 to better understand the increase in cannabis consumption among older adults in the USA. Scientists from the University of California, San Diego, and New York found that in 2023, approximately 7% of adults aged 65 and older reported consuming cannabis in the past month. Although substance consumption remained higher among older men in 2023, the rate increased significantly among women - from 4.8% in 2021 to 5.2% in 2022. The researchers found that certain groups of older adults experienced particularly strong increases in consumption during this period - including married individuals, White individuals, and those with a college degree. Older adults with an annual income of over $75,000 saw the largest increase: from the lowest consumption rate among all income groups in 2021 (4.2%) to the highest in 2023 (9.1%). Additionally, the researchers noted significant increases in cannabis consumption among older individuals with chronic conditions such as heart problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cancer. The increase is largely attributed to the rapid adoption of state cannabis laws and the commercialization of cannabis. The destigmatization of cannabis - partly due to its perceived pain-relieving and stress-reducing effects - has also contributed to an increase in consumption. The researchers recommend that doctors regularly discuss cannabis consumption with older patients and educate them about it, as age-related physiological changes can lead to increased sensitivity to the substance.