More elderly people use cannabis than ever, despite health risks, according to research

New data has revealed that the use of cannabis between adults is always a maximum.

UC researchers San Diego and Nyu discovered that the use of marijuana by the 65 -year -old north -years and more increased by almost 46% from 2021 to 2023, according to a NYU press statement.

Since more states legalize marijuana for recreational use, as well as for medicinal therapies, accessibility to the drug is more widespread, especially among aged adults.

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The research, published in Jama’s internal medicine, found that 7% of 15,000 adults in this age group reported to use cannabis in the last month, according to the national survey of drug use and health. This was an increase of 4.8% by 2021 and 5.2% by 2022.

While the use of marijuana increased in both men and women, it was more common among women.

Research found that greater use was associated with health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, cancer and chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

Those who had a university or postgraduate degree, the annual income of $ 75,000 or more, married status and residence in a state with legalized medical cannabis were also more likely to participate.

“Adults with the highest income initially had the minor prevalence of cannabis use versus other levels of income, but by 2023 they had the highest prevalence, which may indicate better access to medical cannabis due to their costs,” researchers said in the study discussion.

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“The substantial prevalence of states with legalized medical cannabis highlights the importance of structural educational support for patients and clinics in these states.”

Researchers also warned that the use of cannabis products, especially with psychoactive properties, could cause complications in the management of chronic diseases in major adults.

The study was not fixed on the frequency of cannabis use, cannabinoid type or recreational use medical versus.

In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the senior author Joseph Pamar, a doctor, an associate professor of health in the population of Nyu Langone, said his concern for cannabis use that increased among the largest populations.

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Palam suggested that the increase in use is likely due to a combination of greater availability, decrease in stigma and previous marijuana users aging in the cohort more than 65 years.

“My concern is that some of these people may have adverse psychiatric reactions, especially if they use edible,” he said. “It’s very easy to eat too accidentally, and then there is no setback once it has been ingested.”

In a previous interview with Fox News Digital, Dr. Barbara Krantz, medical director of Caron Treatment Centers in Florida, confirmed that he has seen a “significant increase” in the use of cannabis by people over 50.

“It is absolutely an active chemical that we must monitor and I am very annoying that the elderly will use it.”

While surveys have shown that most North -Americans use cannabis to improve sleep, reduce pain, relieve mental health problems and relax -Krantz shared some possible habits.

These include an increase in the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, increase in hypertension and tachycardia, as well as a worsening of chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD).

Cannabis can also lead to interactions with other medicines, which may increase its toxicity or reduce its effectiveness, warned Krantz.

Other potential risks include balance problems, delayed reaction time, increase in cognitive confusion or deterioration and increased anxiety, depression or anger.

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The expert said that there could also be risks related to surgery, including complications for anesthesia and healing delays.

“Elderly people should talk to their healthcare provider and pharmacist before using any marijuana or cannabis product, because there are very real and specific dangers for adults when these substances are used,” Krantz advised.

Fox News Senior Medical Analyst, Dr. Marc Siegel, commented on these findings on Tuesday in “America’s Newsroom”, and said that regular cannabis use may be dangerous if not followed.

“You could use a rubbish to go to bed, and then the following use two rubbergles or three gummies, and can increase anxiety, increase the immencement, do not clearly think, ER visits increase,” he warned.

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“We know problems with the lungs,” Siegel added. “It can accelerate dementia and can affect behavior.”

The doctor compared the use of marijuana with the effects of smoking cigarettes in terms of heart damage and lungs.

“It is absolutely an active chemical that we must monitor and I am very annoying that the elderly will use it,” he said.

“We’ve completely skipped the gun [on legalization] Because people go to ER with psychosis. They go there with vomiting disorders. As a result they have car accidents, “he continued.

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“We are studying Colorado since it was legalized there and the results are not beautiful. We certainly jumped the gun by not foreseeing all the medical risks here.”

Fox News Digital contacted the UC San Diego Medicine researchers for comments.

Fox News Digital Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.