Seniors, not the teenage kind, are now the fastest-growing group of cannabis users, showcasing the intriguing journey of the legalization movement. According to a reputable federal survey on drug use, the percentage of Americans over 65 who have tried marijuana has nearly tripled in the past decade, going from 11 percent in 2009 to 32 percent in 2019. Additionally, over half of individuals in the 60-64 age range reported using cannabis, further emphasizing this significant upward trend. In 2021, cannabis consumption among older adults reached 35 percent, although it’s worth noting that the pandemic may have influenced the survey results.
The increasing acceptance of marijuana among seniors reflects the broader social shift towards embracing its use, especially since it’s now legalized for recreational purposes in 23 states. It also tells a generational tale about the aging baby boomers, who were raised during an era of psychedelic experimentation. For many older Americans, cannabis serves purposes beyond recreational use—it aids in sleep, pain relief, and inducing calmness. Daniel Uthe, a 61-year-old farmer from Wisconsin, shares, “There are many things that I would not do any more if I didn’t have cannabis… I wouldn’t do it because it hurts too much.” Uthe mentions that he smokes recreationally once a month but primarily uses it for pain management.
The potential benefits of cannabis for older adults extend to alleviating pain from arthritic joints, old fractures, and back and neck discomfort. Uthe emphasizes that rolling a joint occasionally helps him find relief. However, despite this surge in cannabis use among older age groups, they continue to consume it less regularly compared to younger adults. As of 2021, approximately 5 percent of Americans over 65 and 10 percent of those aged 60-64 reported using marijuana in the past month, whereas 24 percent of adults 25 and under acknowledged its use. Uthe suspects that polling may not accurately capture the true number of older adults who consume cannabis, as some may be hesitant to admit it.
William Kerr, a senior scientist at the nonprofit Alcohol Research Group and a cannabis researcher, notes, “Since 2009, we’ve seen a significant increase in cannabis use across all age and demographic groups, including older individuals participating for the first time.” This growing acceptance of cannabis among older adults brings them more in line with the general population. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, at least half of adults in every other age group have tried marijuana at some point. Furthermore, a recent Gallup poll found that, for the first time, half of Americans have tried marijuana, representing a significant increase from 4 percent in 1969.
Younger adults, who were raised in an environment more accepting of cannabis, are at the forefront of this cultural shift. Roughly over two-fifths of adults aged 19-30 now consume cannabis at least occasionally, according to federal data. In states where marijuana is legalized, cannabis users in this age group may soon form the majority. Comparatively, older adults have been slower to embrace legal weed, mainly due to their upbringing and the generational stigma associated with marijuana. A Pew Research survey conducted last fall showed that only 30 percent of Americans over 75 supported the legalization of recreational marijuana. This sentiment reflects the views of the “silent generation,” born between 1928 and 1945, who came of age before recreational cannabis gained popularity.
However, baby boomers present a different perspective on cannabis. In the Pew survey, 53 percent of Americans in the 65-74 age range supported recreational marijuana, which is close to the national average. Many boomers entered adulthood during the 1970s, a time when marijuana use was particularly prevalent among young adults. A survey from 1979 indicated that 36 percent of Americans aged 18 to 25 had used marijuana in the past month.
Marijuana consumption decreased during the 1980s due to the federal war on drugs. Additionally, it was challenging to access and potentially risky to use. Even as states started legalizing recreational marijuana in 2012, beginning with Washington and Colorado, the stigma persisted among older Americans. Kimberly Cargile, CEO of A Therapeutic Alternative in Sacramento, California, and co-owner of seven other dispensaries, explains that “some of them were completely against it, even up until five or ten years ago. Completely against it, never used it.” However, as cannabis became more mainstream, and younger generations educated their parents about its benefits, the conversation surrounding marijuana shifted.
The emergence of recreational dispensaries with regulated operations and daytime hours played a significant role in changing the perception of cannabis for boomers. Many of them were uncomfortable with the idea of meeting a dealer in an unsafe setting during nighttime. Now, boomers are discovering a newfound trust in the industry, viewing it as a craft-beer-like market. Cargile’s Sacramento dispensary specifically caters to an older clientele, with many customers being boomers seeking alternatives to prescription drugs for pain management or to reduce alcohol consumption.
Older cannabis users have their preferences when it comes to cannabis products. They are more likely to choose edibles, tinctures, capsules, or salves over vaping or smoking, according to industry experts like Cargile. Due to the relatively small number of elderly users, researchers have limited knowledge about how cannabis specifically affects older Americans. Future research may investigate potential risks such as falls or emergency room visits among older cannabis users.
Compared to younger cannabis users, seniors tend to be more cautious and risk-averse. They prefer predictable doses and often opt for lower quantities. Safety and potency are of utmost importance to them. According to Michael Sofis, director of research at Cannabis Public Policy Consulting, this cautious approach is reflected in their spending habits. While young-adult customers decreased their monthly cannabis budgets by 17 percent during a period of rising debt and inflation, seniors only trimmed theirs by 2 percent.
Daniel Uthe, the Wisconsin farmer, resides in an area where marijuana is illegal but bordered by states where it is legal. Uthe notes that the stigma surrounding cannabis, such as the old “Reefer Madness” narrative, is now seen as a joke by many upper Midwesterners of his generation. He mentions that his pot-smoking friends are primarily home growers, reminiscent of the ’60s and ’70s cannabis culture.
In conclusion, the rise in cannabis use among seniors reflects the changing attitudes towards marijuana nationwide. Older adults are increasingly recognizing its potential benefits, particularly for pain relief and sleep. As the baby boomer generation embraces legal weed, they contribute to the normalization of cannabis in society. Dispensaries are adapting to cater to the needs of older customers, who often prefer non-smokable cannabis products. While research on the effects of cannabis on older adults is limited, their cautious approach and consistent cannabis spending make them a resilient customer base. With the evolving marijuana landscape, the stigma surrounding cannabis is gradually dissipating, and seniors are joining the wider cannabis culture, bringing their own unique perspective and experiences along the way.
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