Over 50 million people in the country have used marijuana over the past year and the number continues to soar, it is disturbing that the group that has found the latest to enter the trend is a vulnerable group that can be at least affordable from a healthy perspective. That is, grandma and grandpa.

In fact, according to a new study published in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine, older people over the age of 65 are using marijuana products more and more, an increase of nearly 50% from 2021 to 2023, with a total of 7% of older people using it.

However, it is obvious to me that there are several misconceptions to feed this increased usage, the first being that marijuana is safer than alcohol or cigarettes. In fact, another study just published from the University of California, San Francisco shows that THC, an active ingredient in cannabis products, damages the endometrium of the blood vessels (which can cause high blood pressure, heart attacks, and strokes), just as much as cigarette smoke.

Research shows

Often, alcohol and marijuana are combined, especially with problems among older drivers who may have shown below the standard. Over the past two decades, fatal car accidents involving alcohol and marijuana have more than doubled in the United States and the number continues to increase.

Another misconception is that marijuana is safe for people who can’t fall asleep or have anxiety problems. In fact, marijuana can lead to decreased IQ, poor learning or processing, and attacking cognitive reserves, especially in older people who may have shown signs of declining cognitive abilities. Regular amounts of marijuana use increase the THC of marijuana, which may worsen anxiety disorders and may even lead to mental illness in people with mental health problems.

Another misconception that prompts increased marijuana use is that the amount of THC in the cannabis product is actually a constant, while the concentration of active psychoactive ingredients in marijuana continues to increase. Weeds in the 20th century were much less effective than weeds with 30-50% THC content today.

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The marijuana of this generation is almost different from the products of the previous generation. And remember that older people will metabolize chemicals more slowly in their bodies, which means longer psychological and physical effects.

Cannabis use may pose this threat to the brain

But the idea that bothers me the most is a practical physician, that marijuana should be medically useful for chronic pain or insomnia, and that this sanction has sanctions on everything. In fact, even the medical use of cannabis products has never been proven.

If marijuana helps with chronic pain, it is usually a minimal effect, which does not justify side effects. However, the widespread acceptance of medical marijuana has led to full legalization and pressure to increase recreational activities (now fully legal in 24 states, with more to follow).

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The last thing we cherish is needed among older people who try to stick to the best function as long as possible, which actually pushes them in the direction of suboptimal performance.

Regular use can also lead to marijuana use disorders, in which case a person becomes addicted to the substances they desire, they develop tolerance and are difficult to stop without withdrawal symptoms. And if an elderly person needs more and more Thc gum bugs to help them fall asleep, they may become more anxious and even mentally ill. Don't let the marijuana salesman tell your grandma.

Click here to learn more about DR. Mark Siegel