Women over 50 make up most cannabis poison control calls, often from therapeutic errors with non-plant products | Research

The takeaway

Among 3,633 cannabis-related poison control cases in adults over 50, women comprised 57.4% and were nearly twice as likely as men to call about therapeutic errors or adverse reactions rather than intentional misuse.

Older adults using cannabis, healthcare providers advising seniors, poison control specialists

Women over 50 were 1.93x more likely to report therapeutic errors than intentional misuse

What the researchers found

Women over 50 had 1.93 times greater odds of calling about therapeutic errors/adverse reactions compared to intentional misuse. They were more likely to be using non-plant cannabis forms (edibles, oils). Older age and living in legal-cannabis states were associated with non-plant product use. Sex was not associated with severity of medical outcomes.

Why it matters

Older women are increasingly using cannabis products for medical purposes but appear to be experiencing more therapeutic errors, suggesting a need for better dosing guidance and education for this growing demographic.

The numbers in context

3,633 cases age 50+; 57.4% female; women had 1.20x odds of non-plant forms; 1.93x odds of therapeutic errors vs misuse; older age and legal states associated with non-plant products

How the study worked

Analysis of 3,633 cases of adults aged 50+ from the National Poison Data System (2009-2019) where plant or non-synthetic cannabis was the primary substance, using logistic and multinomial regression.

What this study cannot tell us

Poison control data captures only reported cases, likely underestimating true adverse events. Self-reported exposure details. Cannot determine population-based rates.

How to read the evidence

Large national poison control database analysis over 11 years with robust statistical methods

When this study was published

Published in 2021 using 2009-2019 data. Cannabis use among older adults continues to increase rapidly.

The bigger picture

As cannabis becomes legal and more older adults use it medically, the pattern of women experiencing therapeutic errors with edibles and other non-plant products highlights a specific education and packaging gap.

Questions still open

Are edible products adequately labeled for older adult users? Do women metabolize cannabis differently, leading to more adverse effects? Would pharmacist consultation reduce therapeutic errors?

Common questions

Are older women at higher risk for cannabis adverse effects?

In poison control data, women over 50 comprised most cannabis calls and were nearly twice as likely to experience therapeutic errors rather than intentional misuse, often with edibles and non-plant products.

What types of cannabis products cause the most problems in older adults?

Non-plant forms (edibles, oils, capsules) were associated with older age and therapeutic errors. These products may be harder to dose accurately than plant forms.

Read the original research

Sex differences in cannabis forms and exposure reasons in cannabis-related poison control center cases aged 50.

Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 59(9), 822-831

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Choi, Namkee G; DiNitto, Diana M; Marti, C Nathan; Baker, S David. (2021). Sex differences in cannabis forms and exposure reasons in cannabis-related poison control center cases aged 50.. Clinical toxicology (Philadelphia, Pa.), 59(9), 822-831. https://doi.org/10.1080/15563650.2020.1869756