Most older adults using cannabis started after age 60 and used it primarily for pain and sleep
Among 568 adults aged 65+, 15% used cannabis, with 61% starting after age 60 and 78% using for medical purposes, most commonly pain (73%), sleep problems (29%), and anxiety (24%).
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
15% of geriatric clinic patients used cannabis. Most used for medical purposes (78%), primarily pain/arthritis (73%), sleep disturbance (29%), anxiety (24%), and depression (17%). Over three-quarters found cannabis helpful. Late-onset users (age 61+, comprising 61%) showed less risky patterns including more medical use and less smoking.
Key Numbers
Total surveyed: 568. Cannabis users: 83 (15%). Medical use only: 78%. Pain/arthritis: 73%. Sleep: 29%. Anxiety: 24%. Depression: 17%. First use after 60: 61%. Regular use (daily/weekly): 53%. CBD-only products: 46%. Family aware: 94%. Doctor aware: 41%.
How They Did This
Anonymous survey of 568 adults aged 65+ at a geriatrics clinic assessing cannabis use characteristics, purposes, administration methods, perceived helpfulness, and disclosure patterns.
Why This Research Matters
With cannabis use growing fastest among older adults, understanding their usage patterns, motivations, and disclosure behaviors helps clinicians provide appropriate guidance.
The Bigger Picture
The fact that only 41% of older cannabis users told their healthcare provider raises concerns about drug interactions and unmonitored use, especially given the high rate of CBD use which can interact with common medications.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single geriatrics clinic in one location. Self-selected respondents may over- or under-represent cannabis users. Self-reported helpfulness without objective measures. Cross-sectional design.
Questions This Raises
- ?Why do fewer than half of older cannabis users disclose use to their doctors?
- ?What drug interactions are going undetected in this population?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- 61% of older cannabis users started after age 60
- Evidence Grade:
- Reasonable survey sample from a clinical setting, though single-site and self-reported.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2021.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.
- Published In:
- Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(1), 91-97 (2021)
- Authors:
- Yang, Kevin H(8), Kaufmann, Christopher N(2), Nafsu, Reva(2), Lifset, Ella T, Nguyen, Khai, Sexton, Michelle, Han, Benjamin H, Kim, Arum, Moore, Alison A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-03626
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Why do older adults use cannabis?
In this study, 73% used it for pain/arthritis, 29% for sleep problems, 24% for anxiety, and 17% for depression. Most (78%) used it exclusively for medical purposes.
Do older cannabis users tell their doctors?
Only 41% reported their healthcare provider knowing about their use, compared to 94% of family members, raising concerns about unmonitored drug interactions.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-03626APA
Yang, Kevin H; Kaufmann, Christopher N; Nafsu, Reva; Lifset, Ella T; Nguyen, Khai; Sexton, Michelle; Han, Benjamin H; Kim, Arum; Moore, Alison A. (2021). Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 69(1), 91-97. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16833
MLA
Yang, Kevin H, et al. "Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older Adults.." Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.16833
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis: An Emerging Treatment for Common Symptoms in Older..." RTHC-03626. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/yang-2021-cannabis-an-emerging-treatment
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.