The Rise of Cannabis Use Among Seniors: What the Numbers Reveal

Cannabis use in the United States is no longer confined to younger generations. A new wave of research shows that older adults are increasingly turning to cannabis, both for symptom management and for wellness. In fact, a recent study published in JAMA Internal Medicine reveals that cannabis use among adults aged 65 and older grew by nearly 46% in just two years — from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023.

This represents a remarkable cultural shift. Less than two decades ago, fewer than 1% of seniors reported using cannabis in the past year. Today, more than 7% say they’ve used it in the past month.

Who Are Today’s Older Cannabis Users?

The profile of older cannabis consumers is changing. Researchers at New York University and the University of California San Diego found that seniors who use cannabis today are more likely to:

• Have higher incomes (earning $75,000 or more annually)

• Be college-educated

• Be married

• Include more women than in past years
  

This shift suggests cannabis use among seniors is not only becoming more common but also more socially accepted across different demographics.

Why Seniors Are Turning to Cannabis

Legalization has played a major role in this trend. With most Americans now living in a state where cannabis is legal for medical or recreational use, accessibility and reduced stigma have made it easier for older adults to explore cannabis as an option.

For many seniors, the draw is health-related. The studies found that cannabis use was especially common among older adults with chronic conditions, including:

• Heart disease

• Diabetes

• Hypertension

• Cancer

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Some seniors report using cannabis to help with pain, insomnia, or loss of appetite — symptoms that often accompany aging and chronic illness.

Opportunities and Risks

The rise in cannabis use among seniors presents both opportunities and challenges.

On the positive side:

• Cannabis may provide relief from chronic symptoms where traditional medications fall short.

• It could offer a safer alternative to opioids or benzodiazepines, which carry higher risks for dependency and side effects in older adults.
  

However, researchers caution that seniors are also more sensitive to psychoactive substances due to physiological changes with age. This can complicate the management of chronic diseases. There’s also a risk of drug interactions, especially in older adults taking multiple prescriptions.

As Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician at UC San Diego and one of the study’s lead authors, explained:

“Cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks.”

What This Means Moving Forward

The rise of cannabis use among seniors highlights a need for open conversations between patients and healthcare providers. Rather than assuming cannabis is only for younger people, clinicians are encouraged to ask older patients about cannabis use, educate them on safer practices, and help manage potential risks.

As legalization continues to spread and stigma decreases, the senior population will likely remain one of the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers. This growth underscores a larger cultural shift: cannabis is increasingly viewed not as a countercultural drug, but as a mainstream wellness tool across generations.

Key Takeaway: Cannabis use among seniors has nearly doubled in two years, with growing interest among educated, higher-income, and chronically ill adults. While it may provide relief, it also requires careful guidance to ensure safe and beneficial use.

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