Marijuana use among older adults in US

Bottom Line:

Cannabis use apparently continues to increase among older adults in the U.S. based on findings reported in this research letter. Researchers analyzed national survey data from 2015-2018 for nearly 15,000 adults 65 and older to estimate how common past-year cannabis use was. Previous studies have indicated sharp increases from 2006-2016. Cannabis has been legalized in many states for medical and recreational use. Authors of the current study estimate the proportion of adults who reported past-year marijuana use increased from 2.4% to 4.2% from 2015 to 2018. There appeared to be significant increases in use during that time among women, people who were white or nonwhite racial/ethnic minorities, adults with a college education, people with higher incomes, those who are married, and adults who reported receiving mental health treatment or using alcohol, and people with diabetes. A limitation of the study is the possibility of limited recall by the respondents. There is a need to better understand both the benefits and risks of marijuana use among older adults.

Authors:

Benjamin H. Han, M.D., M.P.H., and Joseph J. Palamar, Ph.D., M.P.H., of the New York University School of Medicine, New York.

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(doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.7517)

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Editor’s Note:

The article includes funding/support disclosures. Please see the articles for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflicts of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

Media advisory:

To contact corresponding author Benjamin H. Han, M.D., M.P.H., email Ryan Dziuba at

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