1-in-9 Seniors Using Cannabis Meet Disorder Criteria, Study Finds

Disorder Prevalence Among Older Users

One in nine seniors who use cannabis—approximately 11%—qualify for cannabis use disorder under DSM-5 diagnostic standards. The study analyzed data from older adults in medical and recreational markets, marking the first large-scale assessment of disorder prevalence in this age cohort. Earlier research focused primarily on users under 50.

Cannabis use disorder is defined by the DSM-5 as a pattern of use leading to clinically significant impairment, including tolerance, withdrawal, unsuccessful attempts to cut down, and continued use despite physical or psychological harm. The 11% rate among seniors is lower than the 17-22% prevalence observed in younger adult populations. Still, it represents a substantial clinical concern given the growing base of older users.

Senior Cannabis Adoption Surge

Cannabis use among adults 65+ has tripled since 2015, driven by medical legalization and targeted product marketing. National survey data cited in the study shows past-year use climbing from 2.4% in 2015 to 7.1% in 2025 among this demographic. Growth accelerated fastest in states with established medical programs, where seniors report using cannabis primarily for chronic pain, insomnia, and arthritis.

Edibles and tinctures dominate senior consumption patterns. That's a meaningful shift. Older users avoid smoking due to respiratory concerns, creating a product mix distinct from younger cohorts.

Clinical Implications for Geriatric Care

Physicians treating older patients face a screening gap—most geriatric intake protocols don't assess for cannabis use disorder. Study authors recommend integrating standardized cannabis-use questions into routine geriatric assessments, particularly for patients managing multiple medications. Drug interactions between cannabis and common prescriptions—warfarin, statins, benzodiazepines—pose elevated risks for seniors.

The disorder rate among seniors, while lower than in younger groups, signals a need for age-specific clinical guidelines as this population grows.

Withdrawal symptoms in older adults, including irritability and sleep disruption, often overlap with age-related conditions. This complicates diagnosis. The study calls for geriatric-focused treatment pathways that account for polypharmacy and comorbidities.

Methodology and Sample Scope

Researchers assessed disorder criteria using validated DSM-5 screening tools across a sample of 2,847 adults aged 65 and older who reported past-year cannabis use. Participants were drawn from states with legal medical or adult-use markets. The study excluded individuals in states with CBD-only programs or prohibition frameworks, limiting generalizability to those jurisdictions.

Data collection occurred between January 2024 and June 2026. The research team controlled for variables including prior substance use history, chronic pain diagnosis, and prescription opioid use. No external industry funding was disclosed.

What Geriatricians Should Watch

The next phase of this research will track longitudinal outcomes—whether disorder rates stabilize or climb as senior adoption matures. Regulators in medical states may face pressure to develop age-specific dosing guidelines and patient education materials.

For full background on senior cannabis trends and clinical considerations, see the CannIntel topic hub on senior cannabis use and disorder. As medical programs expand access to older populations, the clinical community will need tools to identify and manage problematic use patterns in this demographic.