Older adults experiences of using recreational cannabis for medicinal purposes following legalization

Background and objectives: Legalization of recreational, or non-medical, cannabis in Canada in 2018 was followed by significant increase in use among older adults. Non-medical cannabis is often used medicinally in this population for issues such as pain, insomnia, and appetite stimulation. The purpose of this study was to explore new cannabis use among older adults within an evolving socio-legal context.

Research design and methods: Normalization theory provided the theoretical foundation and qualitative description was the guiding methodology. A convenience sample of twelve participants (ten women, two men) aged 71 to 85 years old was recruited. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and analyzed thematically.

Results: Findings illustrate factors that influenced participants’ beliefs and contributed to their decisions to begin using cannabis in later life. The most important factor was legalization, which sparked a shift in beliefs around using cannabis and shaped the beginning of de-stigmatization around using this substance. Increasing acceptance in their social networks and visibility of cannabis in the media also informed decision-making. However, using cannabis for non-medicinal or social reasons remained stigmatized.

Discussion and implications: This research indicates that older adults’ beliefs about cannabis use are shifting and this is likely related to legalization and broader social acceptance of cannabis. As a consequence, increased public health education is needed to improve health literacy about cannabis use during this stage of the life-course.