OLDER VETERANS

What Veterans Report

Older veterans report using cannabis for chronic pain, sleep, arthritis, and other age-related conditions. Many report that cannabis provides relief with fewer side effects than some prescription medications. Some report replacing or reducing multiple medications.

Other older veterans report increased dizziness, falls, confusion, and medication interactions. The risks of cannabis for older adults are not the same as for younger adults.

What Observational Research Shows

Cannabis use among adults age 50+ has increased significantly over the past decade. Older adults face elevated risks from drug interactions (polypharmacy), falls, cognitive effects, and cardiovascular effects. Research on older adults specifically is very limited.

What Randomized Trials Show

Very few RCTs have specifically studied cannabis in older adult populations. Most cannabis research excludes older adults or does not analyze them separately. The evidence base for cannabis safety and effectiveness in older veterans is extremely limited.

What Systematic Reviews Say

The 2017 National Academies review did not specifically address older adults as a population. Reviews that have examined cannabis in older adults note significant research gaps and call for age-specific studies.

What the VA Says

The VA has not issued clinical practice guidelines for cannabis use in older veterans. Older veterans should be particularly cautious about drug interactions and should discuss cannabis use with their VA provider, who can review their full medication list.

Known Risks

Older veterans face elevated risks from cannabis use, including: increased fall risk from dizziness and impaired coordination; drug interactions with multiple prescription medications (polypharmacy); cognitive effects that may mimic or worsen dementia symptoms; cardiovascular effects including increased heart rate and blood pressure changes.

Older adults metabolize substances differently and may be more sensitive to cannabis effects. Lower starting doses are particularly important for older veterans.

What Remains Unknown

We know very little about cannabis safety in older veterans specifically. Most research excludes older adults or does not analyze them separately. Drug interaction data is particularly limited. The long-term effects of cannabis use in adults over 65 are largely unknown.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Provider

• How might cannabis interact with all of my current medications? • Am I at increased risk for falls or other side effects? • Could cannabis affect my cognitive function? • How should I adjust my dose given my age and health conditions? • What should I do if I experience dizziness or confusion after using cannabis?

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