Evidence-based cannabis information for adults 50 and older Peer-reviewed citations · Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist · No product sales

Sources & Methodology

Primary sources for this site: NASEM 2017, JAMA Internal Medicine, Annals of Internal Medicine, Cannabis & Cannabinoid Research, NSDUH, NORML, AARP / NORC.

Every factual claim on CannabisForSeniors.org is traced to a specific source. This page lists the primary studies, reports, journals, and tools that inform our content. For our methodology and evidence hierarchy, see Editorial Standards.

Foundational Reports

NASEM 2017
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: The Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press, 2017. The most comprehensive evidence review of cannabis and health, establishing evidence tiers used across this site.

Epidemiology and Demographics

Han BH, et al. (2025)
Analysis of National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) data published in JAMA Internal Medicine. Documented past-month cannabis use among adults 65+ reaching 7% in 2023, up from 0.4% in 2006.
University of Michigan / AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging (2024)
Survey of 3,379 adults aged 50 to 101, conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. Found 21% had used cannabis containing THC in the past year. Reported top motivations: relaxation (81%), sleep (68%), enjoyment (64%), pain relief (63%), mental health support (53%).
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Annual federal household survey administered by SAMHSA. Primary data source for national cannabis use prevalence, including age-stratified estimates.
NORML
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws. National fact sheets and state-by-state legal summaries.

Clinical Evidence

Annals of Internal Medicine (2025)
Review of 25 RCTs (2,303 participants, 64% neuropathic pain) finding oral high-THC products reduced pain by approximately 0.78 points on a 0-to-10 scale.
Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research
Mary Ann Liebert Publishers. Premier peer-reviewed journal in the cannabinoid field. Source for primary clinical research cited across this site.
Journal of Cannabis Research
BioMed Central / Springer Nature. Open-access, indexed in PubMed Central. Source for the international Delphi consensus on elderly cannabis dosing and other clinical research.
Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids
Karger Publishers. Hosts the CANN-DIR drug interaction tool from Penn State.

Drug Interaction Evidence

Smythe T, et al. (2023)
Systematic review published in Pharmacotherapy identifying seven published case reports of cannabis-warfarin interactions, with INR increases ranging from +0.4 to +9.61.
Epidiolex FDA Prescribing Information
The most rigorous cannabinoid drug interaction data available, based on controlled clinical trials. Documents interactions with clobazam, warfarin, valproate, and CYP450 substrates.
CANN-DIR Tool (Penn State)
CANNabinoid Drug Interaction Review tool developed by Kent Vrana, PhD, and Paul Kocis, PharmD, at Penn State College of Medicine. Free, evidence-based cannabinoid interaction screening at cann-dir.psu.edu. Available in 11 languages.

Polling and Surveys

Michigan / AARP National Poll on Healthy Aging (2024)
Conducted by the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, supported by AARP and NORC. Found 44% of regular senior cannabis users had not discussed use with a healthcare provider.
Pew Research Center (2024)
Found 88% of U.S. adults believe marijuana should be legal in some form; only 14% of adults 65+ believe it should not be legal at all.
Gallup (2023-2024)
Combined data finding 47% of all Americans have tried marijuana — an all-time high, up from 4% when Gallup first asked in 1969.