Older adults in Colorado want more cannabis education from doctors but feel stigma prevents open conversations | Research

The takeaway

Focus groups with 136 Colorado adults over 60 revealed five key themes: lack of education and research, insufficient provider communication, access difficulties, positive medical outcomes, and persistent stigma preventing open discussion about cannabis use.

Geriatricians, primary care providers, older adults considering cannabis, and healthcare educators.

Stigma blocks open discussion

What the researchers found

Five themes emerged from 17 focus groups: (1) older adults want more education and research about cannabis, (2) healthcare providers are not communicating about cannabis, (3) accessing medical cannabis is difficult, (4) medical cannabis users report positive outcomes, and (5) stigma continues to prevent open discussion. Both users and non-users participated.

Why it matters

Older adults are the fastest-growing cannabis user demographic, yet they face unique barriers including provider reluctance, stigma, and a healthcare system largely unprepared to guide their use. This study gives voice to their actual experiences and needs.

The numbers in context

136 participants over age 60. 17 focus groups in 15 cities. 5 main themes identified from 16 codes. Both users and non-users of cannabis participated. Conducted in Colorado, where recreational cannabis has been legal since 2012.

How the study worked

Qualitative study with 17 focus groups in 15 Colorado cities (June-November 2017). 136 participants over age 60 recruited from senior centers, health clinics, and dispensaries. Thematic analysis with NVivo software.

What this study cannot tell us

Colorado residents in a legal state may not represent seniors in non-legal states. Focus group participants are self-selected. Qualitative findings cannot be quantified for prevalence. The stigma theme may suppress some viewpoints even in focus groups.

How to read the evidence

Rated moderate because this is a well-designed qualitative study with a substantial sample across multiple cities, though findings are descriptive rather than quantitative.

When this study was published

Published in 2019 using 2017 data. Senior cannabis use has continued to increase.

The bigger picture

The disconnect between rising senior cannabis use and absent provider guidance creates a knowledge vacuum that seniors fill with dispensary advice, internet research, or peer recommendations. As this population grows, the healthcare system needs a strategy.

Questions still open

How should medical education adapt to prepare providers for cannabis conversations with older patients? Would reducing stigma improve health outcomes? What specific cannabis information do seniors most need?

Common questions

Do older adults use cannabis?

Older adults are the fastest-growing cannabis user demographic. This study found many Colorado seniors use cannabis for medical purposes and report positive outcomes, but they struggle to discuss it openly with healthcare providers.

Why don't seniors talk to their doctors about cannabis?

Persistent stigma, even in a legal state, prevents open discussion. Many providers are also unprepared to counsel patients about cannabis use, creating a communication gap on both sides.

Read the original research

Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado.

Drugs & aging, 36(7), 655-666

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Bobitt, Julie; Qualls, Sara H; Schuchman, Melissa; Wickersham, Robert; Lum, Hillary D; Arora, Kanika; Milavetz, Gary; Kaskie, Brian. (2019). Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado.. Drugs & aging, 36(7), 655-666. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-019-00665-w