Older generations were unfortunate victims of a significant amount of cannabis prohibition propaganda. It is no coincidence that in essentially every cannabis reform poll, older poll participants consistently demonstrate the lowest level of support.

The sad irony is that, arguably, the biggest potential beneficiaries of medical cannabis reform are older populations. It is no secret that as the human body ages, various ailments, health conditions, aches, and pains begin to accumulate. Medical cannabis therapies can help effectively treat many conditions that older individuals experience.

A team of researchers affiliated with various academic and health research institutions in Canada conducted a survey asking older adults about medical cannabis use and how it affects anxiety, insomnia, and depression.

“A total of 1,615 older Canadians completed the survey, of whom 322 (19.9%) reported using cannabis for mental health symptoms. Most (70.8%) found cannabis somewhat or extremely helpful in managing their symptoms and 73.8% viewed cannabis as safe or very safe compared to pharmaceutical medications.” the researchers found.

A separate research effort was recently conducted by health investigators in the United Kingdom, which focused on medical cannabis, aging, and the reported quality of life among older populations.

“We conducted a systematic review guided by PRISMA to investigate the impact of cannabinoids on aging and longevity.” the researchers wrote. “Aging was explicitly defined as biological and psychological changes associated with advancing age, and longevity was defined as the extension of lifespan and factors influencing healthy aging.”

“Cannabinoids hold promise for supporting healthy aging and enhancing the quality of life in older populations.” the researchers found.

“Survey data indicates that as many as one in five older adults consume cannabis products, with most saying that it improves their overall quality of life.” NORML stated in a recent news release regarding cannabis use by older populations.