OLDER PERSONS AND MEDICAL CANNABIS USE

While researchers have begun to illuminate critical public health issues concerning the increasing availability of cannabis, there have been few glimpses into the use of medical cannabis among older persons. The extent to which persons over 65 take medical cannabis has not been documented, nor have any of the associated outcomes. Do older adults who take medical cannabis for managing pain substitute cannabis for prescription opioids? Do older adults who take medical cannabis experience any negative side effects? This research sought to close the gap in what is known about the use of medical cannabis among older persons and learn more about how cannabis impacts quality of life. In analyzing information provided by 80 purposively selected focus group participants across 4 Midwestern states, we found that approximately 3.7% reported taking recreational cannabis, 12.5% reported taking medical cannabis, and 18.7% reported taking cannabis for both medical and recreational purposes. While the majority of respondents, 65%, reported no cannabis use in the past year, most indicated they would consider taking cannabis for medical purposes, especially if other means of controlling pain or other medical conditions were not effective. Additional information provided by the focus group participants highlighted the critical role that health care professionals play in providing information about the use of medical cannabis.