America’s seniors are lighting up in record numbers — but doctors warn it’s not all peace and mellow.
A new study has revealed that marijuana use among Americans aged 65 and older has exploded nearly 46% in just two years, sparking concern among health professionals who say cannabis might be doing more harm than good for the aging population.
According to data published this week in JAMA Internal Medicine, nearly 7% of seniors reported using marijuana in the past month in 2023, a sharp climb from just 4.8% in 2021. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and NYU analyzed the federally run National Survey on Drug Use and Health to track the trend.
Why the surge?
Part of the answer lies in shifting laws and looser social norms. With marijuana now legal in some form in 38 states, many older Americans are turning to the once-taboo plant to manage chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia, and stress.
And this new generation of cannabis consumers isn’t confined to Woodstock-era rebels. The study found the sharpest rise in use was among wealthier seniors: those with annual incomes over $75,000 more than doubled their marijuana use from 4.2% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2023.
“People are living longer, dealing with more chronic conditions, and open to alternative therapies,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician and associate professor at UC San Diego. “But cannabis isn’t without risk — and it’s not the same weed they remember from the ’70s.”
New Weed, New Risks
Today’s cannabis is far stronger, often packed with triple or quadruple the THC levels found in marijuana decades ago. That potency can spell trouble for older adults — especially those juggling multiple medications or who suffer from conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or COPD.
The data doesn’t distinguish between medical and recreational users, but doctors say the potential for complications is growing either way.
“There’s a misconception that marijuana is harmless because it’s ‘natural,’” said Dr. Karen Lum, a geriatric specialist in Chicago. “But we’re seeing more cases of falls, confusion, and drug interactions in older patients who use cannabis — particularly edibles or high-potency oils.”
Women Join the Wave
Interestingly, the study also showed a rising number of senior women are embracing cannabis. While men still reported higher usage overall, the growth rate among women was steeper — signaling a broader cultural shift in who’s choosing to get high.
Medical Use, But Little Guidance
Geriatricians are calling for urgent education and further research. Marijuana remains a Schedule I drug under federal law, meaning large-scale clinical studies are difficult to conduct. As a result, doctors often lack clear guidelines to help elderly patients safely use cannabis.
“We need more evidence on both benefits and risks,” said Dr. Han. “Without that, patients are left experimenting on their own — sometimes with dangerous consequences.”
Bottom line?
The stigma may be gone, but marijuana isn’t risk-free — especially if you’re over 65. As legalization spreads, doctors urge America’s oldest generation to approach cannabis with caution, not curiosity.
Or as Dr. Lum put it bluntly: “Just because your grandkid uses a vape doesn’t mean it’s safe for Grandpa.”
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In regard to the rise in marijuana use from 4.2% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2023 among the wealthier, maybe it hasn’t actually gone up that much. Maybe, now that it’s legal, more of them are simply owning up to the fact that they’re using.
Drug companies want us to be prescribed opioids for the pain. Polio, work injuries, etc. No thanks. I take two pipes in the afternoon and then I sit and enjoy pain free evenings.