Cannabis use among adults 65 years and older has increased more than 10-fold over the past 2 decades, from just 0.4% in 2006 to 7% in 2023. Clinicians are now tasked with guiding cannabis use in older adults using evidence largely derived from younger populations, applied to products with inconsistent potency, and with minimal data specific to a vulnerable demographic.
Cannabis Use in Older Adults Is Rising—Now What?
Older adults are turning to cannabis in record numbers—but you wouldn’t know it from most medical offices. This isn’t a rebellion—it’s a quiet referendum on how we handle chronic illness, aging, and autonomy. The question isn’t whether it’s happening—the question is: where are the doctors?