More Seniors are Consuming Cannabis

We all know that in the United States, more and more states are beginning to legalize cannabis both medicinally and recreationally, something that is long overdue. In the states over 316 million people are regular cannabis consumers, and the staggering thing is that the average age of consumers has begun to rise since the recent wave of legalization. 9.5% of the entire population of the United States consumes cannabis, which is over double the amount that was recorded in 2002 which was estimated at 4.1%. It’s also true that more seniors are consuming cannabis nowadays.

Why has this number increased?

The most likely and obvious explanation for this increase in cannabis consumption is the progressive legalization that’s been taking place across the entirety of North America. This might also explain the increase in cannabis consumption among the older population, especially among 50-60 years old. A good snippet of news, however, is that regular consumption among teenagers has somewhat dropped since the legalization of cannabis across America.

Benefits for the Elderly

We all know that consuming cannabis has a myriad of medicinal properties and benefits, but how often are those benefits talked about when referring to the elderly? Older consumers have some clear health benefits when it comes to consuming cannabis regularly, and more and more studies are being done every day that prove the benefits of this plant.

Many common issues that elderly people have can be treated with cannabis, such as arthrosis, arthritis and other issues. There are also studies that have been done claiming cannabis is helpful for treating migraines, Crohn’s disease and glaucoma.

Knowing all that we know, it’s not strange to see more elderly people opt for using cannabis as a treatment to alleviate pain, restore appetite and help with insomnia. Do you know of any elderly people that consume cannabis regularly? Do you know any elderly people that could benefit from consuming cannabis? Leave a comment and let us know!

Translation: Ciara Murphy