Older Americans are using cannabis at record levels, according to research Updated in the monthly medical journal JAMA Internal Medicine that found the number of cannabis consumers in the U.S. aged 65+ jumped over 40% from 2021 to 2023.
Published Monday, the study included 15,689 adults aged 65 or older. Respondents reported a significant increase in past-month cannabis use from 4.8% in 2021 to 7.0% in 2023. According to the study, increased cannabis use among older Americans was most prevalent among women, white people, people with a degree, people making $75,000 per year or more, people who are married, and people who live in a state with legal medical cannabis access. The study also found that cannabis use was more prevalent among those with serious and chronic health conditions like cancer, diabetes, hypertension, or heart conditions.
The researchers noted that adults with higher incomes started with the lowest prevalence of cannabis use in 2021, but by 2023, they had the highest prevalence.
Additionally, the researchers wrote that the “prevalence of tobacco and excess alcohol use continues to be high among older adults who use cannabis,” but that the results “do not suggest that concurrent use is changing.”
Currently, 39 states have legalized medical cannabis access of some kind, and 24 states plus Washington, D.C. have legalized it for adult use.
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