Demographic Trends among Older Cannabis Users in the United States, 2006-2013.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

The ageing United States (US) population is providing an unprecedented population of older adults who use recreational drugs. We aimed to estimate the trends in the prevalence of past-year use of cannabis, describe the patterns and attitudes, and determine correlates of cannabis use by adults age 50 and older.

DESIGN:

Secondary analysis of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health survey from 2006 to 2013, a cross-sectional survey given to a nationally representative probability sample of populations living in US households.

SETTING:

USA.

PARTICIPANTS:

47,140 survey respondents age ≥50.

MEASURES:

Estimates and trends of past-year use of cannabis.

FINDINGS:

The prevalence of past-year cannabis use among adults age ≥50 significantly increased from 2006/2007 through 2012/2013, with a 57.8% relative increase for adults ages 50-64 (linear trend p < 0.001), and a 250% relative increase for those ≥65 (linear trend p = 0.002). When combining data from 2006 to 2013, 6.9% of older cannabis users met criteria for cannabis abuse or dependence, and the majority of the sample reported perceiving no risk or slight risk associated with monthly cannabis use (85.3%) or weekly use (79%). Past-year users were more likely to be younger, male, non-Hispanic, not have multiple chronic conditions, and use tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs compared with non-past-year cannabis users. Conclusions The prevalence of cannabis use has increased significantly in recent years among US adults ≥50 years of age.

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