Medical Marijuana Seniors concerned over Potential Recreational Legalization.

Older patients comprise a growing subset of medical marijuana patients, according to a new study.

Titled “Age-related Patterns of Medical Cannabis Use: A Survey of Authorized Patients in Canad

,” the new scientific publication presents the consumption trends observed in patients and the self-reported impacts of medical cannabis in alleviating their primary symptoms.

Nearly 54% of patients taking prescription opioids, reported a decrease in use over the past year with medical cannabis.

Tilray revealed in a Wednesday press release that those taking part in the study said cannabis had a “high degree of efficacy in alleviating their illness or symptoms,” with many emphasizing “a reduction in their use of prescription opioids, alcohol, tobacco, and other substances.”

“Our role in this initiative exemplifies our commitment to medical research, leading us one step closer to unlocking the full therapeutic potential of medical cannabis,” said José Tempero, Tilray’s medical director.

The latest results build on a growing body of research, which shows cannabis consumption among seniors is becoming more common. A recent study done at the University of Colorado Boulder, examined the effects of cannabis use in adults aged 60 to 88 with no history of alcohol or other substance use disorder. It showed that “low-dose, daily cannabis use after age 55 might effectively reduce the degenerative effects of chronic brain inflammation,” said Gary Wenk Ph.D., a scientist not involved in the study.

Americans appear to continue to see a need for change with U.S. cannabis laws. New research data from Pew found that an overwhelming 88% of U.S. adults say that cannabis should be legalized for medical or recreational use. 

Pew found that, in an environment where most Americans live in a state that has legalized the plant and products made from it for certain reasons, having exposure to at least one dispensary in their communities has opened more people up to the idea that total legalization would be OK, it seems.

The survey split up choices in various ways based on beliefs about how the plant should be used and was conducted between Jan. 16 and Jan. 21.

In survey data out this week, Pew found that almost 57% of Americans say they believe cannabis should be legal for both recreational and medical reasons, while 32% said cannabis should only be legalized for medical use.

One interesting aspect of the data is how Americans view the impact legalizing cannabis for recreational use might have on safety and encouraging the use of other substances.

29% of Americans said they believe cannabis increases the use of other drugs, while about the same — at 27% — said they believe it would decrease the use of other substances including cocaine, fentanyl and heroin. 42% said cannabis would have no impact on the use of other substances.

And when it comes to beliefs about safety in the community, 34% of Americans surveyed said legalizing cannabis makes communities less safe while 21% said legalizing cannabis makes communities safer.

And, beliefs about the legalization of cannabis were impacted by politics — the majority, 64%, of those who identify as a Democrat, or who lean towards being Democratic said the believe legalizing cannabis is good for local economies, and 58% said cannabis legalization creates a more fair justice system.

41% of Republican respondents said legalizing cannabis for recreational use has a positive impact on local economies, and 27% said legalization has a positive impact on the criminal justice system.

Those views were altered when age was factored in, with a majority 57% of Republicans between 18 to 29 years old who said they believe cannabis should be legalized for recreations and medical use — 52% of Republicans between 30 to 49 years old said the same.

Pew found that “wide majorities” of Republicans of all age groups favors cannabis legalization for medical use.

Across all racial and ethnic groups, Pew found that about 4 out of 10 U.S. adults believe cannabis legalization for recreational use makes the U.S. criminal justice system fairer.

For the study, Pew Research Center uses randomly selected U.S. adults who participate in self-administered web surveys. Pew said it used an oversample non-Hispanic Black men, Hispanic men and non-Hispanic Asian adults to “provide more precise” estimate of “opinions and experiences of these smaller demographic subgroups.”

In addition, a recent New York Times report looked at the uncertainty and desperation that fuels senior cannabis use, and how many are turning to it as a last resort for various ailments. Dr. Aaron Greenstein, a geriatric psychiatrist said, “People are just desperate. They’re willing to try anything.”