Only 19% of Older Cannabis Users Discussed Their Use With a Clinician
Among older adults who use cannabis, fewer than one in five discussed it with their healthcare provider.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
36.8% of US adults 65+ reported drug screening at healthcare visits. Among 8.1% with past-year cannabis use, only 19.2% discussed it with clinicians. Hispanic/Latine adults were significantly less likely to be screened. Multiple chronic conditions and mental illness predicted discussions.
Key Numbers
14,387 older adults. 36.8% screened. 8.1% used cannabis. 19.2% discussed with clinicians. Hispanic/Latine: aRRR=0.23 for discussions.
How They Did This
2021-2023 NSDUH data. 14,387 US adults 65+ with past-year healthcare visits. Weighted regressions.
Why This Research Matters
Older adults are the fastest-growing cannabis demographic, often on multiple medications. Low discussion rates create risk for unmanaged drug interactions.
The Bigger Picture
Rising cannabis use among seniors with low clinical discussion rates represents a significant safety gap.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Self-reported. Cannot determine why discussions didn't occur. May underestimate use.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why are Hispanic/Latine adults less likely to be screened?
- ?Would routine screening improve outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Only 19% of older cannabis users discussed use with their doctor
- Evidence Grade:
- National survey with large sample, but self-reported data.
- Study Age:
- 2026 study
- Original Title:
- Cannabis or drug screening and discussions with clinicians among older adults who use cannabis in the US, 2021-2023.
- Published In:
- American journal of preventive medicine, 108304 (2026)
- Authors:
- Mauro, Pia M(7), Roura, Mireia Triguero, Carey, Elsa, Han, Benjamin H
- Database ID:
- RTHC-08473
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why should older adults discuss cannabis with doctors?
Cannabis can interact with many medications, and age-related metabolic changes affect how it is processed.
Why are Hispanic/Latine adults screened less?
Language barriers, cultural factors, and healthcare access differences may contribute.
Read More on RethinkTHC
- cannabis-cardiovascular-heart-risk-stroke
- cannabis-heart-cardiovascular-risk
- coughing-up-stuff-after-quitting-weed
- lung-recovery-after-quitting-smoking-weed
- lung-recovery-quitting-weed
- quitting-weed-female-hormones
- quitting-weed-weight-gain-loss-diet-appetite
- sex-after-quitting-weed
- weed-DUI-driving-impaired-cannabis-laws
- weed-acne-skin
- weed-fertility-sperm
- weed-gut-digestion-problems
- weed-heart-health
- weed-testosterone-levels
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-08473APA
Mauro, Pia M; Roura, Mireia Triguero; Carey, Elsa; Han, Benjamin H. (2026). Cannabis or drug screening and discussions with clinicians among older adults who use cannabis in the US, 2021-2023.. American journal of preventive medicine, 108304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108304
MLA
Mauro, Pia M, et al. "Cannabis or drug screening and discussions with clinicians among older adults who use cannabis in the US, 2021-2023.." American journal of preventive medicine, 2026. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amepre.2026.108304
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis or drug screening and discussions with clinicians a..." RTHC-08473. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/mauro-2026-cannabis-or-drug-screening
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.