Older Daily Cannabis Users Consumed Less THC and Fewer Concentrates, but Had Similar Disorder Rates Per Dose

Over 70% of daily users across all ages used cannabis for both medical and recreational reasons. Middle-aged adults were more likely to report medical-only use than younger adults (18.1% vs 13.7%). High-potency concentrate use declined with age. While middle-aged and older adults endorsed fewer CUD criteria overall, the relationship between mg THC consumed and CUD severity did not differ significantly by age.

Online survey of 4,134 US adults (45.9% male) who reported daily cannabis use, with comparisons across three age groups (18-49, 50-64, 65+). Assessed consumption patterns, methods, reasons for use, daily mg THC, and DSM-5 CUD criteria. Regression models adjusted for sex and reasons for use.

Cannabis use is rising fastest among older adults, who are often assumed to be at lower risk. This study shows that while they use differently, their vulnerability to cannabis use disorder per unit of THC may be the same as younger users.

The assumption that older cannabis users are lower-risk may be misleading. While they choose less potent products and consume less, their dose-response relationship for developing problematic use patterns appears similar to younger adults.

Cross-sectional online survey with self-selected sample of daily users. Self-reported CUD criteria may differ from clinical assessment. THC quantity estimation is inherently imprecise. Only included daily users, not occasional users.