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

Trusted Reading List — Cannabis & Aging

NASEM 2017 report, Cannabis & Cannabinoid Research, Project CBD, Healer.com guides, and the books and journals worth a senior reader's time.

Essential Reports

NASEM 2017: The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Published by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. This is the most authoritative comprehensive evidence review of cannabis and health, examining thousands of studies and establishing evidence tiers — conclusive, substantial, moderate, and limited — for cannabis effects on chronic pain, nausea, sleep, and dozens of other conditions. Though now nine years old and several areas have evolved, it remains the foundational reference for cannabis medicine. Available free online from the National Academies Press.

Peer-Reviewed Journals

Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research

Published by Mary Ann Liebert Publishers. The premier peer-reviewed journal in the field, covering basic science, clinical research, and policy analysis. Publishes original research, reviews, and commentaries from leading cannabinoid researchers worldwide.

Journal of Cannabis Research

Published by BioMed Central (Springer Nature). Fully open-access and indexed in PubMed Central, meaning all articles are free to read without a subscription. This makes it the most accessible journal for patients and caregivers who want to read primary research themselves.

Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids

Published by Karger Publishers. Hosts the CANN-DIR drug interaction tool from Penn State. Focuses on clinical applications and pharmacology of medical cannabis.

Books for Patients and Clinicians

Dr. Dustin Sulak — Handbook of Cannabis for Clinicians (Norton)

Considered the first foundational clinical text on cannabis medicine. Written by a physician who has followed more than 18,000 patients, this book covers the endocannabinoid system, dosing protocols, drug interactions, and condition-specific guidance. While written for clinicians, it is accessible to motivated patients.

Project CBD — The Essential Guide to CBD

Winner of the American Botanical Council's James A. Duke Award. A practical guide from the nonprofit Project CBD that covers CBD science, products, dosing, and safety in plain language. A good starting point for seniors interested specifically in CBD products.

Drug Interaction Resources

Epidiolex FDA Prescribing Information

The FDA-approved prescribing information for Epidiolex (pharmaceutical-grade CBD) provides the most rigorous cannabinoid interaction data available. Because Epidiolex went through full FDA clinical trials, its interaction data — particularly with clobazam, warfarin, and valproate — is based on controlled studies rather than case reports. Available free from the FDA website.

CANN-DIR Tool

The CANNabinoid Drug Interaction Review tool at cann-dir.psu.edu, developed by Kent Vrana, PhD, and Paul Kocis, PharmD, at Penn State College of Medicine. Free, evidence-based cannabinoid drug interaction screening available in 11 languages. Useful for both patients and clinicians.

Lexicomp and Micromedex

Standard drug interaction databases used by pharmacists and physicians. These increasingly include cannabinoid entries. Your pharmacist likely has access to one or both of these tools — ask them to run your medication list against cannabinoid interactions.