The trajectory of this increase is notable for its velocity. In 2021, the prevalence of current cannabis use among adults 65 and older sat at 4.8 percent. By 2022, that figure had ticked up to 5.2 percent. However, by 2023, the rate jumped to 7 percent, representing a nearly 46 percent increase in just two years. When viewed through a longer historical lens, the change is even more dramatic. Dr. Han pointed out that as recently as 2006 and 2007, less than 1 percent of older adults had used cannabis even once in the preceding year. To go from less than 1 percent annual use to 7 percent monthly use in less than two decades represents a profound cultural and behavioral transformation among America’s seniors.
The researchers highlighted that the growth in use was not uniform across the entire senior population. Certain subgroups experienced much sharper increases than others. For instance, the data showed that white, married seniors with a college degree were among those seeing the most significant rises in consumption. Additionally, individuals with an annual income of at least $75,000 emerged as a group with a particularly steep upward trend. While older men generally remain more likely to use cannabis than older women, the study found that the gap is narrowing as older women increasingly turn to the drug.
Geography and state-level policy also appear to play a critical role in these trends. The research found that cannabis use grew more rapidly among seniors living in states where medical marijuana is legal compared to those living in states where it remains prohibited. This correlation suggests that legal frameworks do more than just provide access; they likely contribute to a reduction in the social stigma associated with the drug. Dr. Palamar observed that the increasing commonality of use in legal states is an expected outcome of both greater availability and a growing sense of social acceptability.
One of the more intriguing findings involved the relationship between income and cannabis use. In 2021, those in the highest income brackets actually had the lowest prevalence of use among the groups studied. However, by 2023, this group had surged to the highest prevalence. Dr. Palamar suggested that this might be an indicator of who can afford to navigate the often-expensive world of medical cannabis. Between the costs of physician consultations, state-mandated registration fees, and the retail price of the products themselves—which are not covered by health insurance—the financial burden of medical marijuana use may currently favor those with higher disposable incomes.
Perhaps the most significant finding from a clinical perspective is the link between cannabis use and chronic health conditions. The researchers discovered that use is increasing significantly among older adults who suffer from chronic diseases, and even more notably among those with multiple co-occurring conditions. This includes patients managing heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The high prevalence of use among this group suggests that many seniors are likely turning to cannabis as a tool for symptom management, seeking relief from the pain, anxiety, or sleep disturbances that often accompany long-term illness.
