Got Pot? Retirement Can Wait!

How Legal Pot is Keeping Seniors Healthier and Working Longer in Life from CannabisNet on Vimeo.

Legal Pot Helps Older People Stay Productive For Longer

A recent study conducted by the John Hopkins School of Public Health showed that in states where marijuana is legal, there are more people over the age of 50 who are still in the workforce. The researchers analyzed data over the past 20 years taken from the national Health and Retirement Study which surveyed Americans over 50.

"The enactment of medical marijuana laws was associated with a 9.4 percent increase in the probability of employment and a 4.6 to 4.9 percent increase in the hours worked per week," says Lauren Hersch Nicholas and Johanna Catherina Maclean, researchers who worked on the study. They also add that marijuana has shown to be effective treatment for addressing sleep problems, pain, depression, anxiety, and nausea; all conditions which only get worse with aging. Having access to treatment that works better has benefited older workers since they can stay in their jobs for longer. As a result, there is less strain on disability and welfare programs.

"These effects should be considered as policymakers determine how best to regulate access to medical marijuana," Nicholas and Maclean add.

COLORADO LEGAL MARIJUANA

In states where marijuana is legal, the number of people over 50 who can continue to actively participate in their jobs has increased by 9.4%. It also showed an increase in the number of hours worked each week by around 4.6 to 4.9%. Additionally, both men and women in that age group were more likely to report that having “very good” or “excellent” health as compared to people in the same age group in states that don’t have access to legal marijuana.

Old People Love Pot - And It’s Good For Them

We’ve already seen studies proving how old people really appreciate the herb. Data shows that pot use among individuals aged 50 and up has increased significantly from 2006. In fact, marijuana use among those aged 65 and up increased by a staggering 250% from 2006 to 2013!!

Before you get worried about grandma and grandpa getting stoned, remember that pot is actually good for them. In fact, it can protect their health. Once we reach the age of 65 the risk for developing chronic and even fatal illnesses increases dramatically. But it isn’t coincidental that cannabis can also help with the very same conditions that plague the elderly: Alzheimer’s, cancer, insomnia, and a host of other neurodegenerative disorders. The downside is that if they choose to visit their doctor, they’ll likely get prescribed a cocktail of opioids that are addicting and have serious fatal side effects. On the other hand, access to legal cannabis can provide grandma and grandpa the care that they need to stay healthy, manage symptoms of illnesses, and now even stay in the workforce for longer - all without the nasty side effects of pharmaceutical meds!!

This isn’t really surprising: marijuana makes you feel good, and when you feel good it’s much easier to do more. Legalizing pot has greatly increased the quality of life not just for the elderly but for people of all ages and backgrounds. We don’t need to rely on studies to tell us these things, but it’s wonderful to keep learning discoveries such as these - which can truly benefit those who need a little more time to save for retirement.