Rising marijuana use among seniors might be the newest unintended consequence of the left-leaning agenda to normalize cannabis through legalization and commercialization.
Nearly half more seniors now use the drug compared to just two years ago, with many mistakenly believing it is a “natural” alternative to pharmaceuticals.
This is despite serious health risks that medical experts warn could lead to dangerous drug interactions and increased accidents.
According to a troubling new study published in JAMA Internal Medicine, marijuana use among Americans aged 65 and older has surged nearly 46% between 2021 and 2023.
The research, conducted by the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research at NYU School of Global Public Health, found that 7% of adults 65 and older reported using cannabis in the past month in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2021.
This represents a dramatic shift from historical trends, as less than 1% of older adults used cannabis in 2006-2007.
Wealthier seniors are leading this concerning trend. Older adults with annual incomes over $75,000 showed the most significant increase in cannabis use, from 4.2% in 2021 to 9.1% in 2023.
The rapid adoption of state marijuana laws, aggressive commercialization of cannabis products, and changing social attitudes toward the drug are all contributing factors.
This is despite federal laws still classifying marijuana as an illegal Schedule I substance with high potential for abuse.
Seniors' marijuana use reaches new high: study https://t.co/zRNApEbC5t
— Axios (@axios) June 3, 2025
Furthermore, an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) research concluded that many seniors are turning to marijuana for relaxation (81%), as a sleep aid (68%), enjoyment (64%), pain relief (63%), and mental health issues (53%).
This shift comes as more states legalize marijuana for recreational and medical use.
It creates a false sense of safety around a drug that has become dramatically more potent than what existed decades ago, when many of today’s seniors may have first encountered it.
Benjamin Han, geriatrician and associate professor at the University of California San Diego, said:
“As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks.”
Moreover, medical experts are sounding the alarm about serious health risks for seniors who use marijuana.
The study found that increased cannabis use was associated with health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and COPD.
Many seniors mistakenly prefer cannabis as a “natural” alternative to pharmaceuticals, not realizing today’s marijuana contains much higher levels of THC than in previous decades, raising concerns about potential accidents, falls, and cognitive impairment.
Marijuana can interact dangerously with medications commonly used by older adults, such as blood thinners like warfarin, opioids, and benzodiazepines.
These interactions can lead to serious health complications, contributing to a documented increase in emergency room visits from older adults using marijuana.
The risks include heart rate and blood pressure changes, respiratory issues, slower coordination, memory problems, and significantly increased fall risk – all particularly dangerous for seniors.
Only 56% of older adults using cannabis at least once a month have discussed it with healthcare providers, with 43% initiating the conversation themselves.
This communication gap is concerning as doctors and geriatricians emphasize the need for more research and education on marijuana use to identify risks.
Researchers strongly recommend that clinicians proactively screen and educate older patients about cannabis use and its potential risks, especially given the physiological changes that come with aging.
In addition, medical experts are calling for better evidence on the risks and benefits of cannabis use in older populations to prevent unintended harm.
The study was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.
Such a study underscores the growing concern among health professionals about this trend as marijuana continues to become more accessible with minimal safety oversight or proper warnings for vulnerable seniors.
