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More retirees are using marijuana, data show

The biggest increase is among affluent retirees

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Mark Huffman
Reporter

Mark Huffman has covered consumer issues since 2004, with a special focus on protecting and empowering older adults. A former news correspondent for the Associated Press Radio Network, Westwood One, and ConsumerAffairs, Mark brings decades of journalistic experience to RetirementLiving.com. He is passionate about giving consumers a voice and helping them make informed decisions. Mark has also created educational content, including Senior Scam Alert, a video resource designed to help seniors recognize and avoid fraud. He holds a B.A. from the University of Kentucky and lives with his family in Richmond, Virginia.
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Key Insights

  • Marijuana use among Americans 65 and older has reached a new high of 7%, according to recent data.
  • The largest increases in use were seen among older adults who are female, college-educated, married, and higher-income.
  • Researchers urge doctors to talk to older patients about cannabis, especially those with chronic illnesses.

Current retirees came of age in the 1960s and 1970s, and many are no strangers to marijuana. New data suggest a growing number of seniors are renewing that relationship.

A study published in JAMA Internal Medicine found cannabis use among U.S. seniors has reached unprecedented levels, with 7% of adults aged 65 and older reporting current use. The findings mark a nearly 46% increase in just two years and reflect a broader shift in attitudes and access to marijuana among older Americans.

The analysis, led by researchers from the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at NYU’s School of Global Public Health, used national survey data from 2021 to 2023 to examine cannabis use in adults over 65. The study revealed not only a growing number of users but also a changing user profile: older adults who use marijuana are increasingly likely to be college-educated, married, female, and in higher income brackets.

“This is the first time we were able to look at past-month, or ‘current,’ use in this age group in a meaningful way,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, the study’s lead author and associate chief of research in geriatrics at the University of California San Diego. “Before, the numbers were too small. Now, they tell a very different story.”

Rising numbers

In 2006 to 2007, fewer than 1% of older Americans reported marijuana use in the past year. In contrast, 7% now report using it within the past month alone. Researchers say the sharpest increases were seen among those living in states where medical cannabis is legal, suggesting that access and social acceptance are playing critical roles.

Dr. Joseph Palamar, senior author and associate professor at NYU Grossman School of Medicine, noted a striking trend reversal regarding income.

“In 2021, seniors with the highest incomes were the least likely to use cannabis,” he said. “By 2023, they had the highest prevalence.”

Older women also saw significant increases in use, although men still use marijuana at higher rates. And seniors managing chronic diseases—including heart conditions, diabetes, cancer, and COPD—were among those with the fastest-growing rates of use, possibly turning to marijuana as an alternative to traditional medications.

Doctors weigh in

However, the researchers urge caution. Aging bodies can react differently to THC and other compounds in cannabis, and use can interfere with managing chronic health issues.

“As a geriatrician, I see more patients who are curious about or already using cannabis to manage symptoms,” said Han. “But without guidance, they may be unaware of the risks. Clinicians need to proactively discuss cannabis with their older patients.”

While part of the rise may reflect younger users aging into the 65+ category, the study’s authors emphasize the importance of understanding this demographic shift. With most Americans now living in states where marijuana is legal in some form, cannabis is becoming a more common part of aging—and healthcare providers will need to catch up.