Is cannabis safe after 65? Stanford experts reveal 5 risks older adults should know

As cannabis use grows among older Americans, Stanford Medicine experts are warning that today's marijuana products are far more powerful than many people realize, and they may come with significant health risks. Eloise Theisen never expected to become a specialist in medical cannabis. Now a geriatric nurse practitioner focused on cannabis therapy at Stanford Medicine, she first turned to cannabis herself after a severe car accident left her with chronic pain that other treatments failed to relie

When she later returned to work in an oncology clinic, she noticed many patients were already using cannabis or considering it, often without guidance from medical professionals. "I found that our patients were going to use it whether their providers approved of it or not," Theisen said. "Many of our patients were older, and they had risks that needed to be evaluated and addressed before they started using cannabis." Both medical and recreational cannabis use continue to increase across the United States, including among adults over 65. Yet researchers still have major unanswered questions about how cannabis affects the body and brain, partly because marijuana remains federally illegal, making some kinds of research difficult. Many older adults use cannabis in hopes of easing chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety. However, Smita Das, MD, PhD, clinical associate professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford Medicine, said there is still no broad medical agreement that cannabis effectively treats these conditions. Experts say older adults face unique risks from regular cannabis use. These include higher chances of heart disease, certain cancers, addiction, cognitive problems, and dangerous medication interactions. Today's cannabis products are also much stronger than the marijuana many people encountered decades ago, increasing the risk of accidental overuse. Stanford Medicine specialists shared five important things older adults should know before using cannabis. Today's Cannabis Is Much Stronger Than It Used To Be Medical marijuana is legal in 40 states and the District of Columbia, while recreational cannabis is legal in 24 states and D.C. Although regular use among seniors remains relatively uncommon, it is rising quickly.

Key points

• When she later returned to work in an oncology clinic, she noticed many patients were already using cannabis or considering it, often without guidance from medical professionals.
• "I found that our patients were going to use it whether their providers approved of it or not," Theisen said.
• "Many of our patients were older, and they had risks that needed to be evaluated and addressed before they started using cannabis." Both medical and recreational cannabis use continue to increase a…
• Yet researchers still have major unanswered questions about how cannabis affects the body and brain, partly because marijuana remains federally illegal, making some kinds of research difficult.
• Many older adults use cannabis in hopes of easing chronic pain, insomnia, or anxiety.