Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Older Americans
Authors: Colleen J. Maxwell, Bill M. Jesdale, Kate L. Lapane
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2020)

LettersJanuary 2021Recent Trends in Cannabis Use in Older AmericansColleen J. Maxwell, PhD, Bill M. Jesdale, PhD, and Kate L. Lapane, PhDColleen J. Maxwell, PhDSchools of Pharmacy and Public Health & Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (C.J.M.), Bill M. Jesdale, PhDPopulation and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (B.M.J., K.L.L.), and Kate L. Lapane, PhDPopulation and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (B.M.J., K.L.L.)Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M20-0863 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Background: Eleven states and the District of Columbia have implemented laws allowing for the use of cannabis, which is prompting studies of the patterns, determinants, and health outcomes of its use, primarily among young adults (1). Cannabis use is less prevalent among older adults (2–4), and studies of its use in this population are scarce. We believe more investigations are warranted. One reason is that some older adults use cannabis for the management of pain; disorders of mood, anxiety, and sleep; and other medical conditions (5). Another reason is that older adults are susceptible to adverse outcomes, such as confusion, ...References1. Wilkinson ST, Yarnell S, Radhakrishnan R, et al. Marijuana legalization: impact on physicians and public health. Annu Rev Med. 2016;67:453-66. [PMID: 26515984] doi:10.1146/annurev-med-050214-013454 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Dai H, Richter KP. A national survey of marijuana use among US adults with medical conditions, 2016-2017. JAMA Netw Open. 2019;2:e1911936. [PMID: 31539078] doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.11936 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Han BH, Palamar JJ. Trends in cannabis use among older adults in the United States, 2015-2018. JAMA Intern Med. 2019. [PMID: 32091531] doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2019.7517 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Le A, Palamar JJ. Oral health implications of increased cannabis use among older adults: another public health concern? J Subst Use. 2019;24:61-65. [PMID: 30524195] doi:10.1080/14659891.2018.1508518 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Briscoe J, Casarett D. Medical marijuana use in older adults. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2018;66:859-863. [PMID: 29668039] doi:10.1111/jgs.15346 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Schools of Pharmacy and Public Health & Health Systems, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada (C.J.M.)Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, Massachusetts (B.M.J., K.L.L.)Disclosures: Authors have disclosed no conflicts of interest. Forms can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M20-0863.Reproducible Research Statement: Study protocol and statistical code: Available from Dr. Jesdale (e-mail, William.[email protected]edu). Data set: Available at www.cdc.gov/brfss/data_documentation/index.htm.Corresponding Author: Colleen J. Maxwell, PhD, School of Pharmacy, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada; e-mail, colleen.[email protected]ca.This article was published at Annals.org on 1 September 2020. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byThe association between cannabis use and subjective memory complaints in older adults in the United StatesNasal Accumulation and Metabolism of Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Following Aerosol ('Vaping') Administration in Adolescent RatsIn the weeds: a retrospective study of patient interest in and experience with cannabis at a cancer centerThe Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) StudyTrends and characteristics of cannabis-associated emergency department visits in the United States, 2006–2018Cumulative Marijuana Use and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness at Middle Age: The CARDIA Study January 2021Volume 174, Issue 1Page: 133-135KeywordsAdultsAge groupsCannabisCannabis useElderlyHealth care providersPain managementResearch designSleepYoung adults ePublished: 1 September 2020 Issue Published: January 2021 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2020 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...