The variety of seniors in search of remedy for cannabis-related well being issues has elevated over the previous 5 years, and the speed has doubled in areas the place the drug is authorized.
Researchers from the FDA and the Facilities for Medicare & Medicaid Companies analyzed insurance coverage claims from 56 million People enrolled in Medicare — the nationwide insurance coverage for individuals age 65 and older — in almost two dozen states.
They discovered that the variety of individuals visiting hospitals and medical doctors for any kind of marijuana-related well being downside elevated between 2017 and 2022, whatever the drug’s authorized standing in the USA.
Nevertheless, the charges have been almost double in states the place marijuana is authorized for each leisure and medical use by adults.
The researchers mentioned their information counsel that rising charges of well being care in search of for marijuana-related issues amongst older adults could also be linked to the kind of hashish legalization.
In states the place marijuana is illegitimate, the variety of well being care visits amongst People age 65 and older on Medicare was about 28 per 10,000 individuals.
In states the place it’s authorized for medical functions, the speed of hospital and physician visits was 41.5 per 10,000 individuals, and in states the place it’s authorized for each leisure and medical functions, the speed was 45 per 10,000 Medicare beneficiaries.
All states had the best charges of non-emergency hospital visits, akin to outpatient and inpatient medical remedy.
a canadian like that Study A examine revealed earlier this yr discovered that the variety of individuals over the age of 65 visiting the emergency room attributable to marijuana poisoning rose sharply after the drug was legalized within the nation.
The outcomes confirmed that poisoning charges doubled after the sale of hashish flower was legalized in Canada, and tripled 15 months later when edibles have been legalized.
Researchers mentioned the seniors have been taking the drug deliberately, though some could have by chance consumed marijuana.
a separate Study Signs of weed poisoning within the aged embrace dizziness, confusion, nausea, lack of coordination and steadiness, fatigue, and hallucinations.
Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies estimated Eight p.c of individuals age 65 and older in 2022 reported utilizing marijuana in the course of the previous yr — up from three p.c in 2016.
In the USA, marijuana is totally authorized for leisure and medicinal use in 29 states. It’s fully unlawful in 4 states.
Substance Abuse and Psychological Well being Companies estimated in 2022 that eight p.c of individuals aged 65 and older reported utilizing hashish in the course of the previous yr
The remaining states have combined legal guidelines, that means the drug may very well be allowed for medicinal use, allowed solely in CBD oil kind, decriminalized, or a mix of those.
Decriminalization of marijuana signifies that penalties for cannabis-related crimes are lowered. In some states, possession of lower than a specific amount of marijuana, which varies from state to state, may be handled as a site visitors offense.
Penalties can embrace fines, however first-time possession of a small quantity of alcohol for private consumption won’t end in arrest, jail time, or a felony file.
An actual property witch and Leafly, no matter state legislation Report A survey revealed in April discovered that about 62 p.c of People have used marijuana. Fifty-five p.c favor legalizing the drug, and one-third would like to smoke hashish over consuming alcohol.
Help for legalization was highest within the Midwest, at 61 p.c, and lowest within the South, at 44 p.c.
Nevertheless, a separate Gallup ballot carried out in September 2023 discovered that 70 p.c of People imagine the drug must be legalized — a brand new excessive nationwide.
Hashish advocates say the drug has well being and social advantages and that outlawing it will do nothing to curb use however would solely result in pointless incarceration, usually of younger black males.
Regardless of widespread assist, 23 p.c of People are nonetheless against legalization, with hashish opponents arguing that its widespread use results in psychological well being issues, larger charges of substance abuse — notably amongst teenagers and younger adults — and will increase the variety of drunk drivers on the roads, resulting in automobile accidents.
