Marijuana use by middle-aged and older adults in the United States, 2015–2016

Abstract Background Marijuana use is increasing among middle-aged and older adults in the US, but little is understood of its pattern of use by this population. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of responses from 17,608 adults aged ≥50 years from the 2015 and 2016 administrations of the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. Prevalence of past-year marijuana use was estimated and compared between middle-aged adults (age 50–64) and older adults (≥65). Characteristics of past-year marijuana users including demographics, substance use, chronic disease, and emergency room use, were compared to non-marijuana users and stratified by age group. Marijuana use characteristics were also compared between middle-aged and older adults. We used multivariable logistic regression to determine correlates of past-year marijuana use. Results Prevalence of past-year marijuana use was 9.0% among adults aged 50–64 and 2.9% among adults aged ≥65. Prevalence of past-year alcohol use disorder (AUD), nicotine dependence, cocaine use, and misuse of prescription medications (i.e., opioids, sedatives, tranquilizers) were higher among marijuana users compared to non-users. In adjusted models, initiation of marijuana use Conclusion Marijuana use is becoming more prevalent in this population and users are also at high risk for other drug use.