Published on: Jun 02, 2025
Marijuana use among older adults in the U.S. has reached a record high, with 7% of individuals aged 65 and older reporting cannabis use within the past month, according to a new analysis led by researchers from the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at NYU’s School of Global Public Health.
Published in JAMA Internal Medicine, the study highlights not only a steady rise in cannabis use among older adults but also significant demographic shifts. In recent years, usage has increased particularly among those who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes.
Our research shows that cannabis use continues to climb in older populations, and the demographics of users are shifting in important ways,” said Dr. Joseph Palamar, associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, CDUHR-affiliated researcher, and the study’s senior author.
As cannabis becomes legal for medical or recreational use in most U.S. states, researchers examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021 to 2023. For the first time, they were able to assess current (past-month) cannabis use among those aged 65 and older—a shift made possible by growing sample sizes.
“This is the first time we've had enough data to analyze current use in this age group. Previously, we could only examine past-year use due to limited numbers,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, associate professor at the University of California San Diego and the study’s lead author.
Findings revealed a sharp rise in current cannabis use among older adults—from 4.8% in 2021 to 7% in 2023, representing nearly a 46% increase in just two years.
Back in 2006–2007, fewer than 1% of older adults reported cannabis use in the past year. Now, 7% report using it within the past month,” added Han, who is also affiliated with CDUHR.
Certain subgroups saw especially sharp increases, including older adults who are white, married, college-educated, or earning at least $75,000 annually. Cannabis use also rose significantly among older women, although older men still report higher usage overall.
The growth was more pronounced in states where medical cannabis is legal, which may reflect easier access and changing social attitudes.
It’s not surprising that usage is more common in states with medical cannabis laws, said Palamar. What stands out is how cannabis use among high-income older adults rose from the lowest to the highest levels between 2021 and 2023. This may reflect better access to cannabis, given its cost.
The study also found rising cannabis use among older adults with chronic health conditions—including those with multiple issues such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and COPD.
The authors caution that part of this rise may be due to existing cannabis users aging into the 65+ demographic. Nonetheless, they emphasize the importance of healthcare providers screening and educating older patients about cannabis use, especially as aging can increase sensitivity to its psychoactive effects.
As a geriatrician, I see a growing number of patients exploring cannabis for chronic symptom management, said Han. “But it’s crucial that they are informed about potential risks, especially since cannabis can complicate the treatment of chronic conditions.
Source: https://www.nyu.edu/about/news-publications/news/2025/june/cannabis-use-older-adults.html
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