Nearly 1 in 10 older U.S. adults used cannabis in the past year — and among them, about 1 in 9 met the criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD). A large national survey found that smoking was the most common method of use, and those with mental illness, frequent use, or other substance use were at significantly higher risk for CUD. Experts say screening and treatment in this age group are overdue.
Cannabis use among older Americans is no longer a fringe phenomenon. Two new studies — one drawing on national survey data from 21,189 adults aged 65 and older (2021–2024), and another surveying 315 older adults in New York City — paint a consistent picture: cannabis use is rising in this age group, and so is the risk of cannabis use disorder (CUD).
The national study found that 8.9% of older adults used cannabis in the past year, and 11.4% of those users met the diagnostic criteria for CUD. The NYC survey found even higher rates locally, with 22.2% reporting past-year use and nearly 1 in 3 of those users meeting CUD criteria. Smoking remained the dominant mode of use in both studies.
Why it matters: As cannabis becomes more widely legalized and socially accepted, older adults — who may be more vulnerable to its effects due to age-related physiological changes and polypharmacy — are increasingly using it. Clinicians need to screen for CUD in this population and not assume cannabis is inherently low-risk for older patients.
