Are More Seniors Getting Addicted to Cannabis?
/By Pat Anson
Older Americans increasingly identify as cannabis consumers, with nearly 9% of adults over age 65 having used cannabis in the last 12 months. Most use cannabis therapeutically to treat pain, insomnia, depression and other conditions associated with old age. A recent study even suggested that cannabis may improve cognitive function.
But there’s a major drawback to the growing use of cannabis by seniors, according to a new study that found about one in nine (11.4%) meet the criteria for cannabis use disorder (CUD).
While most cases of CUD were considered mild (76%), those that are moderate (20%) or severe (4%) need treatment, according to researchers.
“Given the rapid changes in cannabis use among older adults, it is imperative to understand who may be at risk for developing CUD when weighing the risks and benefits of its use,” wrote lead author Benjamin Han, MD, a geriatrician, addiction medicine physician, and researcher in the Department of Medicine at UC San Diego.
“While the majority of CUD cases are mild and could benefit from early intervention, nearly a quarter of cases are moderate or severe and likely require additional intervention to prevent worsening severity and co-occurring problems.”
Han and his colleagues analyzed data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health to assess how often older adults used cannabis, the modes of use (smoking, vaping or eating), and whether medical cannabis was recommended by a doctor. People who used hemp or CBD were not included in the analysis.
The study findings, published in the journal Addiction, show that over two-thirds (67.4%) of the older adults who used cannabis did so in the past 30 days, suggesting their use was fairly frequent.
Men (10.9%) were more likely to use cannabis than females (7.2%), with smoking the most common form of use (65.8%). Only 20% said their doctors recommended they use medical cannabis.
Identifying who has cannabis use disorder is a less precise metric, since it depends on whether they have two or more of the 11 behaviors that qualify under the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders criteria.
The 11 Cannabis Use Disorder Criteria
Taking cannabis in larger amounts or over a longer period
Wanting to cut down or stop using cannabis, but failing to do so
Spending a great deal of time obtaining, using, or recovering from cannabis
Experiencing intense urges, desires, or cravings
Failing to meet work, school, or home responsibilities because of use.
Continuing use despite recurring social or relationship problems
Giving up or reducing social, occupational, or recreational activities
Repeatedly using cannabis in situations that are physically dangerous.
Continuing to use despite knowing it causes physical or psychological problems
Needing larger amounts to get the same effect (tolerance)
Experiencing withdrawal symptoms
Among the older adults with CUD, researchers say the three most common criteria were cravings, tolerance, and spending more time obtaining and using cannabis.
‘Our Definition of CUD Is Broken’
But critics say the CUD criteria are vague and fail to take into account how many seniors are using cannabis to relieve pain or to help them sleep.
“People are defined as suffering from CUD if they meet two out of 11 possible criteria. Notably, these criteria make no accommodation for those who use cannabis medically,” says Paul Armentano, Deputy Director of NORML, which advocates for marijuana legalization.
“More importantly, the real-world relevance of CUD is undercut by the federal government’s own substance abuse treatment data. According to a 2026 report published by the US Department of Health, the percentage of Americans seeking drug treatment for cannabis has declined steadily for the last half-decade. By contrast, more than four times as many people are admitted to treatment annually for alcohol use disorder.”
Dr. Peter Grinspoon says the number of people estimated to have CUD is exaggerated, in part because tolerance and withdrawal are normal reactions for anyone taking a drug for medical reasons. But that makes them dependent, not “addicted” to a drug.
“Our definition of ‘cannabis use disorder’ is broken and inadvertently ropes in many medical marijuana patients that couldn’t possibly qualify as being addicted. In my clinic, I have had patients who are thriving on medical cannabis, for insomnia or chronic pain, only to see the diagnosis ‘cannabis use disorder’ added to their medical record after they visit with another doctor,” Grinspoon wrote in a recent Substack column.
“As such, we are saddling people with a diagnosis of marijuana addiction just for having tolerance and withdrawal (which are physiological effects of the medicine). This harmful double standard exists because some of the old guard addiction psychiatrists don’t view cannabis as a medicine.”
Grinspoon says patients who are falsely labelled as addicted – whether to cannabis, opioids or other substances – are often abandoned or neglected by doctors. The label could also interfere with their employment, have legal consequences, and contribute to stigma and feelings of low self worth.
Instead of labeling patients with a diagnosis, a little empathy may be in order.
“We can’t continue to unjustly label patients as addicted to cannabis when they are using it medically, without problems,” said Grinspoon.
