When legalization first became a real conversation, the biggest issue was how it would effect the younger generation. There were big concerns from many who opposed legalization that making cannabis legal would increase use amongst teens.
Teen use has actually dipped since states began to loosen regulations. It’s another demographic that hasn’t taken a liking to bud and its somewhat shocking to many.
Senior citizens are increasingly becoming the newest consumers of cannabis. According to Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine more seniors have been saying yes to the plant.
A pair of investigators at the University of Florida reviewed 18 peer-reviewed studies published between the years 2000 and 2017 evaluating marijuana use patterns among those ages 50 and older.
They reported that past-year prevalence of marijuana use among seniors increased over 70 percent between 2006 and 2013, and that “a larger proportion of adults in the older adult population used marijuana medicinally in contrast to recreational use.”
They concluded: “The greatest increase in marijuana use was observed among those in the older adult population 50 years or older, and those 65 years or older had the greatest increase in marijuana use among all older users. … Common correlates of marijuana use among those in the older adult population included factors such as being male, being unmarried having multiple chronic diseases, and having psychological stress.”
So, if you’re grandparents ask you what you’re smoking, they might not be gearing up for a lecture on the dangers of drugs. They might just be asking of they can hit it too.
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