A new data study published in the scientific journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research stated that more than one in 10 Americans adults between the ages of 50 and 80 used cannabis products in the past year.
The data, which is culled from the National Poll on Healthy Aging and published in the report “Prevalence and Frequency of Cannabis Use Among Adults Ages 50–80 in the United States,” found 12.1% of respondents acknowledging cannabis use over the past year. Among those who reported cannabis use, 34.2% said they used cannabis products four or more days per week.
Within specific demographics, cannabis use was less likely among people who identified as Hispanic ethnicity or as “other” races compared to non-Hispanic White respondents. Cannabis use was also more likely among unmarried/unpartnered and unemployed respondents, as well among those also consumed alcohol.
The data study also determined that more than one in 10 U.S. adults aged 50-80 used cannabis during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic, with many stating they used cannabis frequently during the pandemic period.
Paul Armentano, deputy director of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML), commented that it was “not surprising that a rising percentage of adults consider cannabis to be a viable option in their later years. Many older adults struggle with pain, anxiety, restless sleep, and other conditions for which cannabis products often mitigate. Many older adults are also well aware of the litany of serious adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids or sleep aids, and they perceive medical cannabis to be a practical and potentially safer alternative.”
