# Real-Time and Long-Term Effects of Medical Marijuana on Older Adults: Study Protocol > **Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD (ABFM Board Certified, MA Lic. #240562, NPI: 1962722637) > **Publisher:** CED Clinic (https://cedclinic.com) > **Canonical URL:** https://cedclinic.com/study-medical-marijuana-effects-older-adults-protocol/ > **Published:** 2026-04-27T08:03:10-04:00 | **Last Modified / Clinically Audited:** 2026-09-28T16:03:18-04:00 > **Clinical Summary:** Explore the study on medical marijuana effects older adults, focusing on real-time and long-term health outcomes in this growing patient group. --- CED Clinical Relevance  #68Notable Clinical Interest  Emerging findings or policy developments worth monitoring closely. 🔬 Evidence Watch  |  CED Clinic Journal JMIR research protocols Study Type Cohort Population Human participants Why This Matters This item covers developments relevant to [cannabis medicine](https://cedclinic.com/essential-oils-industrial-hemp-antimicrobial-benefits/) and clinical practice. Clinicians monitoring evidence in this area should review the source material. Clinical Summary Older adults represent the fastest-growing group of [medical marijuana](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-risk-impact/) (MM) users in the United States, with [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/) being the most common reason for use. Despite this trend, scientific evidence remains limited regarding the short- and long-term effects of MM on critical health outcomes, including [cognitive function](https://cedclinic.com/reverse-cholesterol-transport-function-cannabis-users/), physical and mental health, and overall quality of life, in this population. To better inform clinical practice and public policy, there is a clear need for more rigorous longitudinal studies that examine the impact of real-world MM products over time. The Study on [Medical Marijuana](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-risk-impact/) and Its Long-Term Effects on Older Adults (SMILE) is a prospective cohort study that aims to (1) determine MM’s short- and long-term effects on pain, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, as well as quality of life, in older adults and (2) identify MM product characteristics and patient subgroups associated with improved outcomes and side effects. This study will recruit and follo Dr. Caplan’s Take “This is a development worth tracking. The clinical implications will become clearer as more evidence accumulates.” Clinical Perspective 🧠 Clinicians should review this item in the context of their current practice and patient population. 💬 Join the Conversation Have a question about how this applies to your situation? [Ask Dr. Caplan →](https://benjamincaplan.com/ask-dr-caplan) Want to discuss this topic with other patients and caregivers? [Join the forum discussion →](https://cedclinic.com/interact/discussion-forums/forum/cannabis-industry/) Have thoughts on this? Share it: [X Share on X](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Just%20read%20this%20on%20CEDclinic.com%3A%20Real-Time%20and%20Long-Term%20Effects%20of%20Medical%20Marijuana%20on%20Older%20Adults%3A%20Protocol%20for%20a%20Prospective%20Coh...%20%40drcaplan&url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Freal-time-and-long-term-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-older-adults-protoc%2F)[in Share on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Freal-time-and-long-term-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-older-adults-protoc%2F)[🦅 Share on BlueSky](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Just%20read%20this%3A%20Real-Time%20and%20Long-Term%20Effects%20of%20Medical%20Marijuana%20on%20Older%20Adults%3A%20Protocol%20for%20a%20Prospective%20Coh...%20via%20%40drcaplan.bsky.social%20https%3A%2F%2Fcedclinic.com%2Freal-time-and-long-term-effects-of-medical-marijuana-on-older-adults-protoc%2F)[📷 Follow on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/drbenjamincaplan)[📝 Read more on Substack](https://doctorapprovedcannabis.substack.com/)[🔔 Subscribe via RSS](https://cedclinic.com/feed/) 📰 Source: [https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41875420/](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41875420/) Table of Contents - [FAQ](#FAQ)[Why study medical marijuana use specifically in older adults?](#Why_study_medical_marijuana_use_specifically_in_older_adults) - [What is the SMILE study and what outcomes will it measure?](#What_is_the_SMILE_study_and_what_outcomes_will_it_measure) - [Will the SMILE study look at which products and patients do best?](#Will_the_SMILE_study_look_at_which_products_and_patients_do_best) - [Related](#Related) ## FAQ ### Why study medical marijuana use specifically in older adults? Older adults are the fastest-growing group of medical marijuana users in the United States, and [chronic pain](https://cedclinic.com/cannabinoids-pain-management-opioid-alternative/) is the most common reason they use it. Despite this, scientific evidence remains limited on the short- and long-term effects on [cognitive function](https://cedclinic.com/reverse-cholesterol-transport-function-cannabis-users/), physical and mental health, and overall quality of life in this population. ### What is the SMILE study and what outcomes will it measure? SMILE, the Study on Medical Marijuana and Its Long-Term Effects on Older Adults, is a prospective cohort study. It aims to determine the short- and long-term effects of medical marijuana on pain, physical, emotional, and cognitive functioning, and quality of life in older adults. The protocol was published in JMIR Research Protocols. ### Will the SMILE study look at which products and patients do best? Yes. A second aim of SMILE is to identify medical marijuana product characteristics and patient subgroups associated with improved outcomes and with side effects. This responds to what the article calls a clear need for more rigorous longitudinal studies of real-world products over time to better inform clinical practice and public policy. [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) Physician-Led, Whole-Person Care A doctor who takes the time to truly understand you. Personal care that starts with listening and is guided by experience and ingenuity. Health, Longevity, Wellness One-on-One Cannabis Guidance Metabolic Balance [Leave a Message](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) [Metabolic Care](https://cedclinic.com/metabolic/metabolic-how-it-works/) [Medical Consulting](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [Cannabis Care](https://cedclinic.com/book/) [https://cedclinic.com/contact/](https://cedclinic.com/contact/) RELATED READING AT CED CLINIC Continue exploring the evidence [New Clinical Insights on Cannabis and Patient Outcomes](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) Explore recent clinical findings on cannabis and its impact on patient health outcomes to stay informed on evolving evidence. [Read More](https://cedclinic.com/new-clinical-insights-on-cannabis-and-patient-outcomes/) [Preoperative Cannabis Use and Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults Undergoing Major …](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) Review research on how preoperative [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) may influence postoperative delirium risks in older adult patients. [Learn More](https://cedclinic.com/preoperative-cannabis-use-older-adults-postoperative-delirium/) [What Cannabis Does to Your Brain in the First 24 Hours – Verywell Health](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) Understand the immediate neurological effects of [cannabis use](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-cardiovascular-health-insights-2024/) within the first 24 hours, relevant to clinical considerations. [Discover More](https://cedclinic.com/cannabis-brain-effects-evidence-first-24-hours/) ### Related --- ### Verification & Medical Governance - **Lead Clinical Author:** Benjamin Caplan, MD - **Credentials:** Board Certified in Family Medicine (ABFM), Former CMO Canna Care Docs (250,000+ patients supervised), Founder & CMO CED Clinic & CED Foundation, Author of *The Doctor-Approved Cannabis Handbook* (Penguin Random House). - **Clinical Scale:** 350,000+ lifetime evaluations overseen; 81,008-patient Real-World Evidence Registry (`~/.ced_rwe_vault.db`); 125,000+ peer-reviewed study literature observatory (`http://localhost:8768/api/explorer/terminal`). - **License Verification:** Commonwealth of Massachusetts License #240562 (https://checkahealthlicense.mass.gov/). - **NPI Registry:** 1962722637 (https://npiregistry.cms.hhs.gov/provider-view/1962722637). - **Ethics & Data Privacy:** Clinical registry observations adhere strictly to HIPAA Safe Harbor de-identification (45 CFR § 164.514(b)) and criteria for secondary research exemption under 45 CFR § 46.104(d)(4).