The concerns of marijuana use in the elderly

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Kenneth Finn

University of Colorado Medical School Colorado Springs Branch , USA

: J Aging Geriatr Med

Abstract

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Marijuana and its documented use for medicinal purposes have been available for thousands of years. As of April 2021, a majority of states in the United States have passed laws allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes, and a growing number of states have also passed laws allowing use for personal and recreational use. The impacts of using marijuana in an older person are not well known by the general public and poorly understood or recognized in the medical community. The aging population and those caring for the elderly should be mindful of not only the inevitable changes in mental and physical health as we grow older, but the potential impact of adding a substance like marijuana which may interfere and adversely impact those changes. There should be a large effort to support the development of cannabis-based medications that are proven to work, particularly in the elderly, who are under represented in the medical literature. Current evidence may show benefit with products not available in the United States or with synthetic cannabinoids. Dispensary marijuana has not been well studied or proven at this time and is frequently contaminated. Any perceived or real benefit of marijuana use may be outweighed by potential harm. Care must be taken by an elderly person and their medical providers as to whether or not the addition of a marijuana product is in the best interest and safety of that person.

Biography

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