Cannabis use highest among senior population

The debate about marijuana use has seniors lighting up. Literally.

A new report has found cannabis use among seniors has nearly tripled, outpacing growth across all other age groups.

The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found that in 2000, 1 percent of Americans age 50 and older had used cannabis within the past year, but by 2012, that number had increased to 3.9 percent.

"Some older persons have responded to changing social and legal environments, and are increasingly likely to take cannabis recreationally," says Brian Kaskie, PhD, professor at the University of Iowa College of Public Health and lead author of the study published in the journal Oxford University Press. "Other older persons are experiencing age-related healthcare needs and some take cannabis for symptom management as recommended by a medical doctor."

Read more: Medical marijuana: Hashing out the legal issues

                   Is senior care going to pot?

Nicole Stempak

Nicole was Senior Editor at I Advance Senior Care and Long Term Living Magazine 2015-2017. She has a Journalism degree from Kent State University and is finalizing a master’s degree in Information Architecture and Management. She has extensive studies in the digital user experience and in branding online media. She has worked as an editor and writer for various B2B publications, including Business Finance.