Older adults in Colorado want more cannabis education from doctors but feel stigma prevents open conversations
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.
Quick Facts
What This Study 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.
Key Numbers
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 They Did This
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.
Why This Research 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 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.
What This Study Doesn't 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.
Questions This Raises
- ?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?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Stigma blocks open discussion
- Evidence Grade:
- Rated moderate because this is a well-designed qualitative study with a substantial sample across multiple cities, though findings are descriptive rather than quantitative.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2019 using 2017 data. Senior cannabis use has continued to increase.
- Original Title:
- Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado.
- Published In:
- Drugs & aging, 36(7), 655-666 (2019)
- Authors:
- Bobitt, Julie(8), Qualls, Sara H, Schuchman, Melissa, Wickersham, Robert, Lum, Hillary D, Arora, Kanika, Milavetz, Gary, Kaskie, Brian
- Database ID:
- RTHC-01952
Evidence Hierarchy
Uses interviews or focus groups to understand experiences in depth.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked 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.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-01952APA
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
MLA
Bobitt, Julie, et al. "Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in Colorado.." Drugs & aging, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40266-019-00665-w
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Qualitative Analysis of Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in C..." RTHC-01952. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/bobitt-2019-qualitative-analysis-of-cannabis
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.