Grandma and Grandpa need some relief too.
As we’ve been saying for quite some time, seniors are the fastest-growing group of new cannabis consumers in the US. But a new study that looked at marijuana consumers across Colorado suggests a growing number of Americans aged 65 and older are using cannabis regularly both for medical and recreational purposes. Among those in the study who say they use it medicinally, the majority appear to be self-medicating.
One reason older people are turning to cannabis is because it can soothe the symptoms of problems like arthritis, Parkinson’s, and chronic pain. But a study published this month in the journal Drugs & Aging, found that a lack of research, unclear communication with doctors, and a reluctance to be honest about its use due to stigma, are all stopping older people getting the products they need.
“From a physician’s standpoint this study shows the need to talk to patients in a non-judgmental way about cannabis,” said one of the study’s co-authors. “Doctors should also educate themselves about the risks and benefits of cannabis and be able to communicate that effectively to patients.”
