New Study Shows 1 in 8 Older Adults Use Cannabis; Experts Urge Screening

Cannabis use in older adults is on the rise and clinicians should screen for it, according to a new study, reports McKnights.

A report on people ages 50 through 80 finds that 12% of older adults say they’ve consumed a substance that contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the past year. Additionally, 4% of people in that age group say they have substances that include THC multiple times a week. THC is the part of the cannabis plant that can affect a person’s mental state.

The new findings were published in Cannabis and Cannabinoids Research last month by a team from the University of Michigan’s Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. Authors of the report said that people taking the products need more education on them, and older adults need to be screened for cannabis-related risks. Many older adults take multiple medications.

According to the new study, 5% said they use cannabis once a month or less. Additionally, 4% said they use cannabis products four or more times a week. The poll asked about products containing THC but didn’t differentiate between medical and recreational use of cannabis.

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