Cannabis Information for Older Adults

Older adults might use cannabis products for a number of reasons, including:

• Coping with side effects from chronic disease
• Pain control
• For sleep problems
• As an alternative to a prescription drug
• To achieve a better quality of life
• Nausea from chemotherapy 
• Chronic neuropathic pain
• Palliative and end-of-life pain

Cannabis products can work for some older adults and not others. Talk to your health care professional first if you are thinking of using cannabis for medical or non-medical purposes.

In recent decades, cannabis products have become increasingly concentrated with THC, which is the main psychoactive component found in cannabis. Thirty years ago, dried cannabis typically contained about four per cent THC, whereas nowadays, it averages about 15 to 20 per cent THC. Some cannabis extracts (i.e., concentrates) can contain more than 80 per cent THC.  A high level of THC in cannabis or too much cannabis consumption can lead to over-intoxication. Symptoms over over-intoxication can include: 

• Anxiety, panic and elevated heart rate 
• Nausea and vomiting
• Paranoia and psychosis (i.e., hallucinations and delusions)

If you have certain medical conditions, cannabis use may potentially pose increased risk of experiencing side effects. For example, you should consider not using cannabis if you have serious:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• Poor lung health/lung disease
• Heart or blood vessel disease
• History of mental health challenges or substance use disorders
• Cognitive impairments or problems with balance

Using cannabis while taking prescription or non-prescription health products, such a pharmaceutical drugs or natural health products, can also increase the risks of side effects. Talk to your health care professional first if you are thinking of using cannabis for medical or non-medical purposes. Active Aging Canada, a National charity that supports older adults living well and remaining active, provides a number podcasts, videos and information on safer cannabis use for older adults.

Access "Be Wise - Cannabis & Older Adults" information

Buying cannabis products from a legally licensed producer or retailer ensures the quality of the products, whereas cannabis products purchased from the illegal market are not subject to the same quality checks. It may therefore expose users to unnecessary health risks. Because cannabis products are much stronger today and come in a greater variety of products and ways to consume, regardless of your previous experience, you should always start low and go slow.

• Exercise caution and start with the lowest amount of THC and CBD available
• It is safest to space out the inhalations of smoked or vaped cannabis, bites of edible cannabis (or sips of edible cannabis beverages) or drops of oral oils and tinctures to reduce the possibility of side effects

To learn more about what cannabis is, how it can be used, along with potential risks and benefits of use, click here.

A Guide to Cannabis for Older Adults (CCS) 

Canada's Lower Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (CAMH)

Cannabis and Older Adults (Active Aging Canada) 

Health Effects of Cannabis on Adults Over 55 (Government of Canada) 

Cannabis Information - What Older Adults Need to Know about Cannabis brochure (CCSMH)