A recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine has found that the use of marijuana among seniors in the US has reached a new high, with 7% of adults aged 65 and over reporting current use. This marks a significant increase from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, a nearly 46% rise in just two years.
The study, conducted by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research at the NYU School of Global Public Health, analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021 to 2023. The researchers found that the increase in marijuana use among seniors is not uniform, but rather varies by demographic and socioeconomic factors.
The study’s corresponding author, Benjamin H. Han, MD, warns that this trend may have significant implications for clinical and legal operations at nursing homes. As more seniors use marijuana in the community, they may expect to be able to continue using it in long-term care settings, which could be complicated given the current legal status of marijuana.
The researchers recommend that clinicians screen and educate their older patients about marijuana use, including the potential risks and benefits. They also caution that the increases in marijuana use may be driven in part by those who use marijuana aging into the 65-plus age bracket.
The study’s findings have significant implications for skilled nursing providers, who must adapt to the changing patterns of marijuana use among their patients. Han suggests that providers should start by talking to patients and their families about marijuana use at admission, and using screening tools to identify users.
The researchers also highlight the potential risks associated with marijuana use among seniors, including the possibility of problematic use or cannabis use disorder, and the potential for interactions with medications that could increase the risk of side effects or over sedation.
