Cannabis Consumption Among Baby Boomers Have Doubled

Cannabis Consumption Among Baby Boomers Have Doubled

Marijuana Consumption Among Baby Boomers Has Doubled from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Older adults are using cannabis more now than ever, thanks to the disappearing stigma around cannabis use.

A new study, published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence, was conducted by researchers from the NYU School of Medicine and the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research at the NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. The finding revealed that 9% of people aged 50 to 64 reported to using pot at least once in the last year, an increase from the 4.5% discovered a decade ago. It also found that with the 65 and up age group, 2.9% used cannabis in the last year, up from 0.4% 10 years ago.

According to the study’s lead author, Benjamin Han, MD, the uptick in cannabis consumption observed in older adults may be ascribed to changing attitudes regarding cannabis, combined with the increasing number of states that are legalizing cannabis either for medical or recreational consumption.

The figures use data taken from 2015-2016 compared to data from 2006-2007. Han and his team analyzed survey responses from 17,608 adults obtained from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. They also found that most of the older and middle-aged adults first used cannabis when they turned 21, and 92.9% of adults aged 50-64 said they first used cannabis when they were 21 or younger. The findings were similar in half of adults aged 65 and older.

In a press release, Han said: “The baby boomer generation grew up during a period of significant cultural change, including a surge in popularity of marijuana in the 1960s and 1970s.”

“We’re now in a new era of changing attitudes about marijuana, and as stigma declines and access improves, it appears that baby boomers – many of whom have prior experience smoking marijuana – are increasingly using it.”

“Most baby boomers who recently used marijuana first used as teens during the 1960s and 1970s. This doesn’t mean these individuals have been smoking marijuana for all these years, but most current users are by no means new initiates,” adds researcher Joseph Palamar, PhD.

Additionally, the researchers also discovered a link between consuming cannabis and consuming unhealthy substances. Specifically, they found that cannabis-using adults were more likely to admit being addicted to nicotine, alcohol, or using cocaine as well as the abuse of prescription drugs including sedatives and opioids. “Marijuana has been shown to have benefits in treating certain conditions that affect older adults, including neuropathic pain and nausea. However, certain adults may be at heightened risk for adverse effects associated with marijuana use, particularly if they have certain underlying chronic diseases or are also engaged in unhealthy substance abuse,” adds Han.

The study’s findings also suggest that a partial increase in cannabis use among older and middle-aged adults may be due to more recommendations from a doctor. The data showed that 15% of individuals aged 50-64, and 22.9% of those aged 65 and up who used cannabis within the last year said that it was recommended to them by a physician.

Fastest-Growing Demographic

The research echoes findings from older studies, such as one from 2016 which states that seniors represent the fastest-growing cannabis demographic in the United States. Back then, cannabis consumption among those aged 55 and up increased 53% from 2013 to 2014. That’s a massive increase, but then again, it isn’t surprising due to the ailments that this demographic suffers from, many of which cannabis can cure.

However, we still don’t know much about access. Many nursing homes around the country are regulated by the federal government, and they risk losing access to Medicaid and Medicare funding if they allow cannabis use within their facilities. Seniors also don’t have access to as much education and information about the plant, and there’s new research popping up almost every week. They spent much of their lives believing that cannabis was just like any other drug sold on the street, which could leave many of them confused about the big changes in the world of legal cannabis.

Big Cannabis certainly isn’t targeting this demographic. But what’s concerning is that they are vulnerable to more safety concerns especially when they consume high potency cannabis, or when it’s mixed with other medications. This is why educating this demographic should be a focus of the government and advocacy groups.

Marijuana Consumption Among Baby Boomers Has Doubled from CannabisNet on Vimeo.