Researchers at the University of Michigan, after examining recent survey data, found that 12.1% of American adults aged between 50 and 80 reported using cannabis over the past year.
Of those who used cannabis, 34.2% indicated they consumed it four or more days per week, according to the researchers.
This data came from the National Poll on Healthy Aging, a comprehensive survey conducted in January 2021, which inquired about cannabis usage among U.S. adults aged 50-80 in the preceding year.
The survey is a project of the Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation at the University of Michigan.
In their study, the researchers employed multivariable logistic regression to explore demographic and health factors linked to cannabis use.
The study concluded, “Over 10% of U.S. adults aged 50-80 used cannabis in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, with a significant portion using it regularly. With increasing access and usage of cannabis across the country, it’s important for healthcare providers and policy makers to be aware of potential risks for older adults.”
They also observed that cannabis usage was less frequent among individuals identifying as Hispanic or belonging to races other than non-Hispanic white.
Cannabis has become a popular choice among older adults for managing chronic pain and other age-related conditions.
Paul Armentano, NORML Deputy Director, commenting on the findings, noted the growing trend of older adults turning to cannabis as a safer alternative to prescription drugs for issues like pain, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. He remarked on the rising awareness of cannabis’s potential benefits compared to the adverse effects of conventional medications.
Other surveys have echoed this trend.
As reported by The Hill, a recent survey found a significant increase in marijuana use among Americans over 65, with usage nearly tripling from 11% in 2009 to 32% in 2019. The 60-64 age group also saw a marked increase in cannabis consumption.
The same report from The Hill noted that in 2021, 35% of older adults used cannabis. This rise reflects the broader social acceptance of marijuana and the generational shift among aging baby boomers, who are increasingly using cannabis for therapeutic purposes like pain relief and improved sleep.
Indeed, the growing trend of cannabis use is a result of the widespread legalization movement across the United States.
A Gallup poll from earlier this year reinforced this trend, revealing that 50% of Americans have tried marijuana at some point, a record high. According to Gallup’s findings, about 17% of Americans currently smoke marijuana, a figure that has more than doubled since 2013. These statistics mirror the growing public support for marijuana legalization, which has surged from 12% in 1969 to 68% today.
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