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

Baumbusch, Jennifer; Yip, Isabel Sloan

doi:10.1016/j.drugpo.2022.103812

Cited by 10 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 35 publications

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“…In short, a greater quantity and quality of research is still needed, despite best efforts to date. Recent literature suggests that legalization and broader social acceptance of cannabis use have sparked increased use in older adults, which could facilitate cannabis-related research [ 19 , 55 , 56 ]. Thus, we are optimistic that future researchers will be in a more advantageous position to evaluate the impact of THC exposure on driving outcomes such as crash risk and culpability.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Motor Vehicle Collisions and Culpability among Older Drivers Using Cannabis: A Meta-Analysis

et al. 2023

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Limited studies have investigated the effects of cannabis use on driving among older adults, who represent the fastest growing segment of drivers globally. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) exposure on risks of (1) motor vehicle collisions (MVC) and (2) culpability for MVCs among adults 50 years and older. Three reviewers screened 7022 studies identified through MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, and PsycINFO. Odds Ratios (OR) were calculated using the Mantel-Haenszel method in Review Manager 5.4.1. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute tool was used to assess the quality of each study. Seven cross-sectional studies were included. Three studies evaluated culpability while four evaluated MVC. The pooled risk of MVC was not significantly different between THC-positive and THC-negative older drivers (OR, 95% CI 1.15 [0.40, 3.31]; I2 = 72%). In culpability studies, THC exposure was not significantly associated with an increased risk of being culpable for MVC among adults over the age of 50 (OR, 95% CI 1.24 [0.95, 1.61]; I2 = 0%). Inspection of funnel plots did not indicate publication bias. Our review found that THC exposure was not associated with MVC involvement nor with culpability for MVCs.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk of Motor Vehicle Collisions and Culpability among Older Drivers Using Cannabis: A Meta-Analysis

et al. 2023

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“…First-time cannabis use increased with age, with 27% of seniors being new users [21]. Based on a qualitative research, older adults’ beliefs about cannabis use were influenced by legalization, and broaden social acceptance of use which led to their decisions to begin using cannabis in later life [22]. The reasons for use were pain management, sleep management, and an alternative to prescription or over-the-counter medication [23].…”

Section: Cannabis Use Among Adultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Six annual waves of 2014 to 2019 cross-sectional survey data from Washington State young adult (18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25) sample after nonmedical cannabis legalization indicate decreased prevalence of past-month alcohol use, heavy episodic drinking, cigarette use, and pastyear pain reliever misuse but an increased pastmonth e-cigarette use since 2016. Among occasional and frequent cannabis users, the prevalence of other substance use was higher, compared to cannabis nonusers [43].…”

Section: Other Substance Usementioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of cannabis legalization on the use of cannabis and other substances

Assanangkornchai

Kalayasiri

Ratta‐apha

et al. 2023

Current Opinion in Psychiatry

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Purpose of reviewAs more jurisdictions legalize cannabis for non-medical use, the evidence on how legalization policies affect cannabis use and the use of other substances remains inconclusive and contradictory. This review aims to summarize recent research findings on the impact of recreational cannabis legalization (RCL) on cannabis and other substance use among different population groups, such as youth and adults. Recent findingsRecent literature reports mixed findings regarding changes in the prevalence of cannabis use after the adoption of RCL. Most studies found no significant association between RCL and changes in cannabis use among youth in European countries, Uruguay, the US, and Canada. However, some studies have reported increases in cannabis use among youth and adults in the US and Canada, although these increases seem to predate RCL. Additionally, there has been a marked increase in unintentional pediatric ingestion of cannabis edibles postlegalization, and an association between RCL and increased alcohol, vaping, and e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults. SummaryOverall, the effects of cannabis legalization on cannabis use appear to be mixed. Further monitoring and evaluation research is needed to provide longer-term evidence and a more comprehensive understanding of the effects of RCL.

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“…Prior research on cannabis, however, has predominantly focused on younger people [ 8 ], and some studies have grouped older adults with people over the age of 50 [ 9 , 10 ], even though responses to cannabis can vary greatly between 50-year-olds and those 60+ (e.g., likelihood of falls). It is only in recent years, as older adults’ consumption of cannabis has increased dramatically, that their experiences with medicinal cannabis have received greater attention in the scholarly literature [ 11 – 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Baumbusch and Yip [ 20 ] reported on information seeking in this population, but as part of older Canadians’ experiences with cannabis more broadly, and only from the perspective of older consumers. Given that medical cannabis access and consumption in Canada has changed due to the legalization of recreational cannabis in 2018 [ 21 ] and continues to evolve, there is a need for further research into older Canadian consumers’ information-seeking behaviour and knowledge needs from the perspectives of both the older adults seeking information and those advising them.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Information-Seeking Behavior and Unmet Knowledge Needs of Older Medicinal Cannabis Consumers in Canada: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

et al. 2023

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Introduction Older Canadians (age 60+) are increasingly using cannabis to treat their health problems, but little is known regarding how they learn about medicinal cannabis. This study explored the perspectives of older cannabis consumers, prospective consumers, healthcare professionals, and cannabis retailers on older adults’ information-seeking behavior and unmet knowledge needs. Methods A qualitative descriptive design was used. Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with a purposeful sample of 36 older cannabis consumers and prospective consumers, as well as 4 healthcare professionals and 5 cannabis retailers from across Canada, for a total sample of 45 participants. Data were thematically analyzed. Results Three main themes characterizing older cannabis consumers’ information-seeking were identified: (1) knowledge sources, (2) types of information sought, and (3) unmet knowledge needs. Participants accessed a variety of knowledge sources to inform themselves about medicinal cannabis. Cannabis retailers were identified as providing medical information to many older adults, despite regulations to the contrary. Cannabis-specialized healthcare professionals were also viewed as key knowledge sources, while primary care providers were perceived as both knowledge sources and gatekeepers limiting access to information. The types of information participants sought included the effects and potential benefits of medicinal cannabis, the side effects and risks involved, and guidance regarding suitable cannabis products. Participants’ most salient unmet knowledge needs focused on dosing and use of cannabis to treat specific health conditions. Discussion Findings suggest that barriers to learning about medical cannabis among older consumers identified in prior research remain pervasive and cut across jurisdictions. To address these barriers, there is a need for better knowledge products tailored to older cannabis consumers and their information needs, and further education for primary healthcare providers on medicinal cannabis and its therapeutic applications with older patients.

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

Cited by 10 publications

References 35 publications

Risk of Motor Vehicle Collisions and Culpability among Older Drivers Using Cannabis: A Meta-Analysis

Risk of Motor Vehicle Collisions and Culpability among Older Drivers Using Cannabis: A Meta-Analysis

Effects of cannabis legalization on the use of cannabis and other substances

The Information-Seeking Behavior and Unmet Knowledge Needs of Older Medicinal Cannabis Consumers in Canada: A Qualitative Descriptive Study

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