How Senior Adults Are Adopting Cannabis For A Better Life
Are marijuana and seniors a great combination? More elderly adults than ever before are using cannabis to manage their medical conditions.
But does medical marijuana have any benefits for seniors? Does it work the same in older people as it does in younger adults?
A 2020 study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that cannabis use by adults over 65 years and older in the United States rapidly increased from a low 0.4% in 2006 to 4.2% between 2015 and 2018.
These results have been corroborated in numerous studies from the same period.
But why is there a reason for this trend? Currently, 38 states, three territories, and the District of Columbia have a legal medical cannabis program in which adults with a qualifying condition can be approved for a medical marijuana card.
Utah is one of the states with a vibrant medical cannabis program where seniors can apply for a marijuana card and get approved quickly.
Patients must have at least one qualifying condition and be evaluated by a qualified medical provider to be approved for a medical marijuana card in Utah.
If you are looking to get approved for Utah’s legal, medical marijuana program, book your appointment today to speak with a highly compassionate, qualified medical provider.
This article evaluates the connection between medical marijuana and seniors and how medical cannabis can improve their quality of life.
Medical Marijuana And Seniors – The Basics
Many seniors in the US have embraced the use of medical cannabis to manage their conditions and improve their quality of life.
Studies show that the elderly population is increasingly adopting medical marijuana, but how do marijuana and seniors match?
In one study published in The Gerontologist, researchers observed that cannabis use among persons over 50 has increased significantly, exceeding projections and outpacing growth observed across all other age groups.
In another study, researchers from the University of California San Diego School of Medicine found that out of the older patients surveyed, 61% had started using cannabis after the age of 60.
The researchers also found that overall, older adults were likely to use cannabis for medical purposes and were less likely to consume it via smoking.
The higher uptake of cannabis among older generations suggests medical marijuana and seniors are a good match.
The availability of cannabis products that can be consumed in ways other than smoking and the legal cannabis programs in most states have led to increased cannabis adoption by senior citizens.
Why More Seniors Are Adopting Medical Cannabis Than Ever Before
The current generation of seniors grew up during marijuana prohibition in the US.
Surprisingly, they are now the fastest-growing segment of cannabis adopters in the past few years. So what is behind this trend?
A closer look at medical marijuana and seniors reveals that many factors are responsible for the high adoption rates. One of the reasons is the legal medical marijuana programs by states.
Over 38 states have medical cannabis programs, with states like Utah allowing people with qualifying medical conditions to apply for a card that will enable them to purchase marijuana from a dispensary.
Elders are the most affected by the outlined conditions, including Alzheimer’s Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, and chronic pain.
If you are wondering whether your condition qualifies for a medical marijuana card in Utah, schedule an appointment with Green Team Doctors today to consult a qualified medical provider.
The medical cannabis programs and the fact that physicians can now prescribe marijuana have also decreased the stigma associated with cannabis use.
This has changed the older generation’s attitude towards cannabis and increased their interest in its benefits.
There’s also more information on cannabis and its effects. People now know more about its benefits for various conditions, which may have led more seniors towards adopting cannabis. The legal landscape now allows for research that would be otherwise hard to do to be done.
Seniors And Cannabis: Medical Marijuana Benefits For Older Adults
1. Improve Chronic Pain With Minimal Side Effects
Studies show that chronic pain is more prevalent among seniors, where it is associated with significant suffering, disability, social isolation, and an overall decrease in quality of life.
Most pharmaceutical options for this age group tend to be only partially effective or have significant side effects.
Another study also found that older patients were more likely to be prescribed an opioid, especially stronger opioids. Since chronic pain in seniors requires ongoing treatment over time, they are likely to use opioids chronically.
Other seniors may have kidney and liver issues and can’t take certain pain medications.
Fortunately, studies suggest medical cannabis can help. In one study investigating the safety and efficacy of medical cannabis in older adults, researchers found that 93.7% of the respondents reported improvement in their pain levels.
The study also found that 18.1% stopped using opioid painkillers or reduced their dose after six months.
Wondering if your pain qualifies for a medical card in Utah? Book an appointment with a state-licensed qualified medical provider today.
2. Improve Neurodegenerative Disorders
Conditions such as Parkinson’s Disease, dementia, and Alzheimer’s are prevalent in seniors and result from loss of function in various parts of the nervous system.
These conditions can significantly lower the quality of life in seniors as they often lead to a decline in motor functions and cognitive ability.
While more research into whether medical marijuana for seniors can halt the progression or manage such conditions, several studies suggest it might help.
A review published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found evidence that THC may improve sleep duration, meal consumption, agitation, and nocturnal motor activity in dementia patients.
Another study found that medical cannabis may improve symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease without major adverse effects.
3. Improve Mood And Mental Health
In this marijuana and seniors review, we found that older adults can benefit from marijuana’s mood-lifting properties.
Seniors are prone to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression which may lower their quality of life significantly.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 33% of adults aged 45 and older feel lonely, and nearly 25% of adults over 65 are considered socially isolated.
Studies cited in the CDC report found that social isolation and loneliness may significantly increase seniors’ risk of premature death, depression, dementia, and heart disease.
The feel-good aspect of cannabis is well documented. There is also evidence that it may help manage anxiety and depression.
More studies on marijuana and seniors are still needed to understand how it may help manage mood and mental health.
4. Improve Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms
According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, over 70% to 90% of adults aged 65 and above have been exposed to at least one potentially traumatic event in their lifetime.
Symptoms of PTSD may also increase with age as, for some people, the coping mechanisms may become less available or effective, or societal support may decrease.
Several studies suggest cannabis may reduce overall PTSD symptoms and improve quality of life. More research is still needed.
PTSD is a qualifying condition for a medical marijuana card in Utah. Utah medical marijuana program states that PTSD diagnosed or a licensed medical health therapist is treating or diagnosed by a healthcare provider by the Veterans Administration, and evidenced by VA medical records, is a qualifying condition.
PTSD diagnosed in person or through telehealth by a licensed board-eligible or certified psychiatrist, psychiatric nurse practitioner, licensed clinical worker with a master’s level degree, or a licensed psychologist with a master’s level degree is also eligible.
Wondering if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Utah? Book an appointment today.
5. Improve Sleep Quality
As many as 50% of older adults complain about sleep problems compared to 15.9% to 22.3% of the general population.
Sleep problems in seniors are mostly associated with medical, psychiatric, and health-related issues, including chronic pain, anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Some studies indicate that medical cannabis can help people sleep better.
While the effects of cannabis on seniors’ sleep quality are still unclear, some research suggests that cannabis may improve sleep by reducing anxiety and the root causes of the sleep problems such as chronic pain.
Research into the relationship between medical marijuana and seniors is still in its infancy. More studies are needed to understand cannabis risks for seniors and how it may benefit them.
If you are wondering if you qualify for a medical cannabis card in Utah, schedule an appointment with Green Team Doctors qualified medical practitioners today.
How Seniors Can Get A Medical Marijuana Card In Utah
Studies on medical marijuana and seniors suggest cannabis may improve the quality of life for older people, especially those with chronic conditions.
If you have a qualifying condition and want to apply for a medical card in Utah, the process is straightforward and quick with our Green Doctors qualified medical providers.
At Green Team Doctors, we are a coalition of local physicians with a combined experience of more than 300 years of practicing medicine.
We are passionate about ending the dependency on opioids, which is why we are dedicated to ensuring deserving patients get access to medical cannabis as an alternative way to manage their conditions.
To know if you qualify for a medical marijuana card in Utah, all you have to do is book your appointment with one of our Green Team Doctors and attend the consultation.
Most consultations are completed within 30 minutes and approved. Schedule your appointment today!
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