Rewritten Article:

Cannabis use has reached a new high among older adults in the United States, with 7% of those aged 65 and over reporting use in the past month. This is according to an analysis led by researchers at the Center for Drug Use and HIV/HCV Research (CDUHR) at the NYU School of Global Public Health.

The study, published in JAMA Internal Medicine, reveals that the profile of cannabis users has shifted in recent years. Specifically, there have been pronounced increases in use among older adults who are college-educated, married, female, and have higher incomes.

“Our study shows that cannabis use among older adults continues to increase, although there have been major shifts in use according to demographic and socioeconomic factors,” said Joseph Palamar, PhD, MPH, an associate professor of population health at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and the study’s senior author.

Most Americans live in a state where marijuana has been legalized for medical or recreational use. To better understand the prevalence of cannabis use among older adults in the US, researchers examined data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 2021 through 2023. The respondents were asked about past-month cannabis use, which was defined as “current” use.

The researchers found that current cannabis use among older adults grew to 7% in 2023, up from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022—a nearly 46% increase in only two years.

“If we look even further back to 2006 and 2007, less than 1% of older adults used cannabis in the past year. Now, we’re seeing that 7% have used it in the past month alone,” said Benjamin Han, MD, MPH, associate professor and associate chief of research in the Division of Geriatrics, Gerontology, and Palliative Care at the University of California San Diego and the study’s first author.

The researchers also found significant increases in cannabis use among older adults with chronic diseases—specifically, those with multiple chronic conditions. Notably, this includes heart issues, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, and chronic pulmonary obstructive disease.

The authors caution that the overall increases may be driven, in part, by those who use cannabis aging into the 65+ age bracket for the period studied. Regardless, they recommend that clinicians screen and educate their older patients about cannabis use, including how physiological changes that accompany aging can make people more sensitive to psychoactive substances.

“As a geriatrician, I see more and more people interested in using cannabis for treating chronic health symptoms. But cannabis can complicate the management of chronic diseases and be potentially harmful if patients are not educated on its use and potential risks,” said Han.

The research was supported by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (K23DA043651, R21DA058404, R21DA060362, R01DA057289, R01DA060207, and P30DA01104) and the UC San Diego Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Research on Aging.

A recent study published in JAMA Cardiology has found that regular marijuana use, whether smoked or consumed in edible form, can have significant adverse effects on cardiovascular health. The research, led by University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) researchers, reveals that chronic cannabis use is associated with reduced blood vessel function, similar to that seen in tobacco smokers.

The study recruited 55 participants who were healthy and regularly used marijuana, either smoking it or consuming edibles containing tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the primary psychoactive compound found in cannabis. The results showed that both groups had decreased vascular function, which is a risk factor for heart attacks, high blood pressure, and other cardiovascular conditions.

Notably, the study found that smoking marijuana was linked to changes in the participant’s blood serum that were detrimental to endothelial cells, which line all blood and lymphatic vessels. In contrast, those who consumed edibles containing THC did not display these changes in their blood serum.

The reasons behind how THC damages blood vessels are unclear, but the researchers suggest that it must be happening through a mechanism other than the changes seen in blood serum. This distinction is crucial, as it implies that smoking marijuana and ingesting THC may have different effects on cardiovascular health.

As first author Leila Mohammadi, MD, PhD, and senior author Matthew L. Springer, PhD, noted, these findings suggest that smoking marijuana negatively affects vascular function for reasons distinct from those involved in ingesting THC.

This study highlights the importance of considering the potential risks associated with marijuana use, particularly regarding cardiovascular health. As research continues to uncover more about the effects of cannabis on our bodies, it is essential to be aware of the potential consequences and take necessary precautions.

The Dark Side of Cannabis Use in Pregnancy

A recent systematic review has raised significant concerns about the risks associated with consuming cannabis while pregnant. The study, conducted by researchers at Oregon Health & Science University, analyzed 51 observational studies involving over 21 million people to examine the potential adverse effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.

The findings are alarming: consuming cannabis appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death. These results are consistent with definitive evidence in nonhuman primate models exposed to THC, the main psychoactive compound in cannabis.

The placenta, a vital organ responsible for supplying oxygen and nutrients to the fetus, is particularly affected by cannabis use during pregnancy. Research has shown that cannabis can lead to decreased blood flow and reduced availability of oxygen in the placenta, ultimately affecting fetal development and growth.

While many pregnant women may view cannabis as a harmless substance due to its increasingly widespread legalization, the reality is far more concerning. Cannabis remains a Schedule 1 substance under federal law, and its use during pregnancy is not recommended by medical professionals.

The lead author of the study, Dr. Jamie Lo, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing fetal health over any perceived benefits of cannabis use during pregnancy. “Abstinence is ideal,” she notes, “but it’s not realistic for many patients.” In such cases, a harm-reduction approach can be recommended, advising pregnant women to reduce their cannabis consumption and frequency to minimize potential risks.

The research, part of the Systematically Testing the Evidence on Marijuana (STEM) project, highlights the need for more comprehensive studies on the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy. By understanding these risks, healthcare providers can better counsel expectant mothers and promote healthier outcomes for both mother and child.

Sources:

* The study was published in JAMA Pediatrics.
* Funding for this research was provided by the Office of Rural Health in the Veterans Health Administration of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.

Key Takeaways:

* Consuming cannabis during pregnancy appears to increase the odds of preterm birth, low birth weight, and infant death.
* The placenta is particularly affected by cannabis use during pregnancy, leading to decreased blood flow and reduced availability of oxygen.
* A harm-reduction approach can be recommended for pregnant women who cannot abstain from cannabis use.
* More comprehensive studies are needed to fully understand the effects of cannabis use during pregnancy.