United States – A new study reveals that as marijuana legalization and usage gain traction all over America, many senior citizens are deeming it fit to get addicted to this substance.
Analysis of Medicare Data
A study that analyzed information from nearly 56 million Medicare patients revealed that “rates for health care encounters for cannabis-related disorders were higher from 2017 to 2022,” as per the U. S. Food and Drug Administration-led study conducted by Dr. Silvia Perez-Vilar, as reported by HealthDay.
FDA analysis covered all other medicare beneficiaries except for nursing home residents. It centered on Medicare claims related to any medical event associated with cannabis use.
The data available revealed a progressive rise in the utilization of health services associated with cannabis in seniors during the five years explored.
As the team identified, “by 2022, rates were highest in states allowing both ADULT and medical use” for roughly 45 cases per 10,000 Medicare claims.
State-by-State Comparison
The medical cannabis legal states had a slightly lower rate of cannabis-linked claims as compared to the states legalizing both medical and recreational use (41.5 per 10,000).
Again, where the use of marijuana was prohibited for either recreational or medical purposes, the average number of weed-related claims for seniors reduced to 27.7%, a rate of 7 cases per 10,000. Perez-Vilar’s team reported.
Concerns About Addiction and Mental Health
There are various apprehensions about increased cases of addictions and mental health issues that have been caused by highly potent cannabis in the last few years, especially among the youths. For instance, a published study indicated that teenagers who use marijuana are 11 more likely to suffer a psychotic episode than teenagers who do not use the substance in any way, as reported by HealthDay.
This new study raises the possibility that such risks could also apply to older adults.
“Overall, data suggest that increasing rates of healthcare encounters documenting cannabis-related disorders among older adults might be associated with the type of cannabis legalization,” the FDA team said.