The fastest growing segment of our population starting to use cannabis are people over the age of 55; drill down further within that group and you find that the majority of those people are women. So basically: your mom, your wife, your aunt, grandma, and sister are on weed. The good stuff, too - on average, women spend less on a dispensary visit but opt for more nuanced approaches like low-dose, high-quality weed products. And since 80% of consumer product purchase decisions are made by women (the percentage creeps up even higher when purchases are health related), there’s no wonder brands and marketers have taken notice, producing an increasingly diverse array of microdose innovations ensconced in chocolate, tea, prerolls, drinks, vapes...and gorgeous packaging. 

From my personal experience, all my parents (including in law) are hopped up on CBD, THC or both. Some only use it topically, but all of them have embraced cannabis to help with health and/or happiness. My parentals are young, mid-sixties, but 3 out of 4 of them weren’t into herb before the last decade or so and, well, conversations with me. It’s great to see such positive affirmation of the benefits of the cannabis plant, and while the stigma associated with it persists signs are emerging that longstanding stereotypes are eroding. 

Right here in my hometown, at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine, researchers report that older adults use cannabis to cope with common health conditions, including chronic and acute pain, sleep problems, as well as mental health concerns around anxiety and depression. 

THE LINE BETWEEN MEDICAL AND RECREATIONAL IS THIN: it’s all wellness. 

The study, published online October 7, 2020 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, found that of 568 patients surveyed, 15 percent had used cannabis within the past three years, with HALF of users reporting using the plant regularly and mostly for medical purposes. 

“Pain, insomnia and anxiety were the most common reasons for cannabis use and, for the most part, patients reported that cannabis was helping to address these issues, especially with insomnia and pain,” said Christopher Kaufmann, PhD, co-first author of the study and assistant professor in the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego. 

Patients surveyed in the study were seen at the Medicine for Seniors Clinic at UC San Diego Health over a period of 10 weeks.

Study researchers additionally found that at least 61 percent of the study participants who used cannabis actually started use after age 60. I think that’s pretty cool. 

So where are they getting their information? Many places! Their kids (duh), their grandkids, other family members, budtenders and of course, people like me. I’ve actually worked with three generations of one family at once, which felt like a professional dream. 

With easily the weirdest holiday season ever approaching, here are a few starter tips you can share with Ma and Pa over Facetime: 

• CBD is a great entry point! I love gifting loved ones non-intoxicating flower, tincture or full spectrum supplements. They tend to pique interest, not paranoia, and give access to a whole world of consideration. It’s also wonderful to have on hand if someone’s overdone it with THC since CBD has been known to deaden negative effects like paranoia, nausea and dizziness. 

• Speaking of too much THC: cannabis edibles are akin to an Upper Division course - not the first step, newbs! When it’s time, follow the rule of 2s: start with 2mgs. Yes, TWO! And give it two hours to kick in before ingesting more. Trust me. Once you know your dose the world is your very high oyster. 

• Start low and go slow. A toke off of a bowl to start; when you feel good - stop and wait a while before ingesting more. Some weed can sneak up on ya. 

• Talk to your doc. In an increasingly cannaccepting society, cannabis derivatives are everywhere, they’re effective, and frankly, the majority of adults use it them some way - docs *must* know about it nowadays to faithfully do their work. While they may not be able to suggest cannabis, Docs legally must answer your questions, which sometimes requires them to do some research of their own. It will make them better doctors, so don’t hold back. 

I know a lot of people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s who maintain very youthful mindsets - it’s a good thing considering lifespans have never been longer. 

How does cannabis fit in with the elders in your life?

UCSD’s Geisel Library, one of my favorite brutalist/futurist architectural designs completed in 1970.   

Photo by me @thecanncierge