New Study Reveals Surging Marijuana Use Among Older Adults in the US
A recent analysis by researchers at New York University’s School of Global Public Health has found that marijuana use among adults aged 65 and older has reached a new high. According to the study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, approximately 7% of older adults reported using marijuana in the past month in 2023, a significant increase from 4.8% in 2021.
The study also revealed that marijuana use is becoming more prevalent among certain demographic groups. For example, older adults with college educations, higher incomes, and women are more likely to use marijuana. In fact, older adults with annual incomes of $75,000 or more had the lowest prevalence of use in 2021, but by 2023, they had the highest prevalence, at 9.1%.
Another key finding was that older adults with two or more chronic diseases are more likely to use marijuana than those with fewer health issues. In fact, use among this group grew by 134.3% between 2021 and 2023.
The study also found that marijuana use is more common among older adults living in states where medical marijuana is legal. In these states, use grew by about 46% between 2021 and 2023. Currently, medical marijuana is legal in 39 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia.
Researchers attribute the increasing trend of marijuana use among older adults to increased availability and social acceptability. “It shouldn’t be surprising that use is becoming increasingly more common among people who live in states that allow medical cannabis,” said Joseph Palamar, the study’s senior author. “This could be due to increased availability or social acceptability.”
The study’s findings suggest that policymakers and healthcare providers should take note of the growing trend of marijuana use among older adults and consider its implications for healthcare and public health.
