[FoxNews] Nearly one-quarter of adults over 50 have used cannabis in the past year, a poll found.
While cannabis has historically been more popular with younger groups, a growing number of older adults are turning to the drug for a variety of reasons — but are the potential benefits worth the risk?
A recent poll by the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that among people 50 years of age and older, around 21% said they have used a form of cannabis that contains the psychoactive compound THC at least once in the past year, and 12% use it on a monthly basis.
Dr. Barbara Krantz, medical director of Older Adults Program, Withdrawal Management and Chronic Pain for Caron Treatment Centers in Florida, said her practice has seen a "significant uptick" in the use of cannabis by individuals over the age of 50.
"In our patient population at Caron, nearly all patients in our Older Adult Program have admitted to trying cannabis in some form," she told Fox News Digital. "So, it is very common."
Krantz outlined the following 10 potential dangers associated with cannabis use for older adults.
- Increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, increased hypertension and tachycardia
- Interaction with other medications, which can increase their toxicity or decrease their effectiveness
- Worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Accidental poisoning from ingestion
- Balance issues that can lead to falls and breaks
- Delayed reaction times that impair driving and cause accidents
- Increased confusion or cognitive impairment
- Psychosis
- Increased anxiety, depression or anger
- Surgery-related risks, including complications due to anesthesia and delays in healing
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