Among 1,615 Canadians aged 50 and older, 44% reported current cannabis use, yet more than 60% said there was not enough information about cannabis safety and effectiveness.
Older adults considering cannabis, healthcare providers, public health officials
60.4% of older Canadian cannabis users said there is not enough safety information available
What the researchers found
44% reported current cannabis use, 33.2% non-use, 16.5% prior use, and 6.1% were considering use. Nearly half (49.2%) perceived cannabis risks as low or very low. The top concerns were effects on cognition/mental health (40.8%), physical health (19.1%), and insufficient product information (18.0%). About 35% perceived negative stigma among family and friends.
Why it matters
Since Canada legalized cannabis in 2018, use among older adults has climbed steadily. This large survey reveals a disconnect: while nearly half of older Canadians are using cannabis, most feel they lack adequate safety and effectiveness information to guide their decisions.
The numbers in context
1,615 respondents aged 50+; 44% current use; 49.2% perceived low/very low risk; 40.8% concerned about cognition/mental health effects; 60.4% said not enough safety information; 63.8% said not enough effectiveness information; 34.7% perceived negative stigma; perceptions influenced by age, sex, usage, and education
How the study worked
Electronic survey of 1,615 Canadians aged 50+ examining cannabis use patterns and perceptions of safety, effectiveness, and stigma. Perceptions assessed with Likert scales and open text. Logistic regression examined how age, sex, usage status, and education influenced perceptions.
What this study cannot tell us
Electronic survey may underrepresent older adults with limited technology access, self-selected respondents may be more interested in cannabis, Canadian results may not apply elsewhere, cross-sectional design captures one point in time
How to read the evidence
Large cross-sectional survey with validated measures; provides strong descriptive data but limited by self-selection and electronic recruitment
When this study was published
Published 2025
The bigger picture
The information gap identified in this study represents a public health challenge: a large and growing population of older cannabis users making decisions with limited evidence-based guidance. Health practitioners and public health campaigns have not kept pace with legalization.
Questions still open
- What specific safety information do older adults want most? Are healthcare providers equipped to fill this information gap? Has the perception of cannabis risks changed since legalization, and in which direction?
Common questions
How common is cannabis use among older Canadians?
What are older adults most concerned about with cannabis?
Read the original research
Cannabis Use and Perceptions of Cannabis Safety, Effectiveness, and Stigma amongst older Canadians: A Cross-Sectional Survey.
Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 1-17
Citation
Bolt, Jennifer; Movold, Jacob; Fenton, Melanie; Behm, Megan; Williamson, Jill; Jakobi, Jennifer M. (2025). Cannabis Use and Perceptions of Cannabis Safety, Effectiveness, and Stigma amongst older Canadians: A Cross-Sectional Survey.. Cannabis (Albuquerque, N.M.), 8(2), 1-17. https://doi.org/10.26828/cannabis/2025/000306