A new study has shown a spike in marijuana use among seniors in the last decade — specifically elderly women and those who are married.
In the midst of a vaping crisis that has largely been traced to THC-containing products, much of the discussion around marijuana has centered on young adults. But a new study in the Journal of American Medicine this week suggests high usage among another demographic: seniors.
Data for the study came from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a nationwide survey that’s conducted yearly by the National Institutes of Health in all 50 states. The survey allowed researchers to zero in on certain subgroups in the category of those who shared their recent marijuana use. Particular increases appeared among women, married individuals, the college-educated, and those who drink alcohol.
On top of those subgroups, researchers also found use to have more than doubled among patients with diabetes, which over 100 million Americans live with today. Recent studies have shown that cannabis has therapeutic potential for the difficult-to-treat condition, specifically due to its anti-inflammatory properties. It’s just one of many potential medical benefits of the drug that has emerged.
Han is also quick to note that while the drug likely has benefits, it’s not necessarily harmless for this age group. Iowa University researchers are currently exploring the potential for marijuana to put seniors more at risk of falling, for example — but there may also be other things to consider. “Certainly, with any drug with psychoactive properties, I worry about dizziness and falls, as well as cognitive changes over time for older adults,” Han tells Yahoo Lifestyle.
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