There are more senior cannabis consumers in the U.S. than ever before.  

People who fall into this age group, usually aged 65 and above, make up an ever-growing segment of consumers.

According to the director of consumer insights at BDS Analytics, Linda Gilbert, seniors are the next budding market. This is despite the fact that there is a lack of FDA approval for cannabis-based medicines.

Gilbert predicts the edibles market will attract the most interest from senior cannabis consumers since this method of consumption enables patients to microdose in a convenient and discreet way.

Senior cannabis consumers are receiving plant medicine education

Lack of education is one of the main reasons why cannabis was once so frowned upon. Thankfully, new scientific discoveries are being made all of the time. With increased consumer knowledge comes increased acceptance for medicinal cannabis.  

Dispensaries in weed-friendly states have even started educating seniors about the plant’s medicinal potential, as well as the many consumption choices.

Based on a recent report by Kaiser Health News, cannabis dispensaries have adopted philanthropic business practices by transporting seniors from their retirement communities to local events. At these local events, senior citizens living in states that have legalized cannabis are being given the opportunity to watch presentations spotlighting edibles, balms, ointments and more.

In an attempt to demonstrate the growing acceptance of cannabis use among the older population, a number of senior cannabis consumers were profiled by Kaiser Health News, including Shirley Avedon.

The 90-year-old resident of California first used a medicinal cannabis product in July of this year. She, like many other older cannabis consumers, does not experience the plant’s therapeutic effects by means of smoking. Rather, she uses a THC-infused topical cream that is non-psychoactive.

Survey indicates rapid increase in senior cannabis consumption

Cannabis is quickly becoming normalized; something that is encouraging the older generation to medicate with the plant. According to a CBS News article published on September 7, almost three percent of seniors aged 65 and older have tried cannabis within the last year.

Statistics from a separate survey suggest that more seniors are adopting cannabis as their preferred treatment option. Based on the results of a survey carried out from 2006 to 2013, the percentage of adults who had used cannabis within the last year grew by a staggering 250 percent. Moreover, a 58 percent increase was noticeable among adults aged 50 to 64 who had used cannabis in the past year.

“We believe every American deserves the best-possible treatment possible, and that includes older Americans who are in pain,” said Pat Brogan of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM).

The non-profit organization, which is located in Alexandria, Virginia, strongly disapproves of cannabis legalization and commercialization.

“Smoking marijuana is not an efficient delivery system, and there is no way to measure the dosage needed. Marijuana isn’t regulated like other drugs. It would be like using willow bark for pain relief already available in aspirin,” Brogan added.

The information on SAM’s website describes it’s goal as promoting “health-first, smart policies and attitudes that decrease marijuana use and its consequences.” While SAM does believe that seniors deserve the best type of treatment, the group affirms that seniors must proceed with caution when using medicinal-grade cannabis products, due to negligence from the FDA.

“The FDA must be involved in the process of regulating marijuana so that an approved medication, prescribed by a physician and dispensed through a pharmacy, can be made available to those who need it,” Brogan explained.

“Developing marijuana-based medications through the FDA process is more likely to ensure that seriously ill patients, who are being supervised by their actual treating physicians, have access to safe and reliable products. While parts of the marijuana plant do have medical value, it’s up to science, and not politics, to show us how to best use it.”