Dr. Adam: A lot of older adults, including some of my patients, are using marijuana to unwind, manage insomnia, relieve pain, or simply enjoy its effects and boost their mood. The National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted last year by researchers at the University of Michigan found that in the previous year, 21 percent of adults age 50 and older used cannabis in one form or another, from smoking it to consuming edibles.

I’m not making a moral judgment about anyone’s choice, but I do want people to remember that marijuana is a drug. I think some folks forget this fact since, in states where it’s legal, you can just walk into a dispensary and buy edibles as if you were picking up a candy treat at the supermarket. (Nearly half of our states have legalized recreational cannabis. Check to see if it’s within the law where you live by looking at the nonprofit advocacy group NORML’s website.) People may think, Well, if I can purchase it in a store, then it can’t really be harmful. But you need to remain aware that, just like any over-the-counter drug, cannabis has real effects. While many are enjoyable and helpful, some may be unpleasant—even dangerous. You cannot eat edibles like candy.

For instance, a study of emergency room visits in California from 2005 to 2019 found a whopping 1,804 percent increase in cannabis-related ER visits among those 65 and over. A Canadian study also found an increase in cannabis-related ER visits by older people after edibles were legalized in 2020. Let me be clear that most people who experience problems do so because they’ve ingested too high a dose of THC—tetrahydrocannabinol, a psychoactive compound found in cannabis. Patients have come to me and said, “My friend gave me these gummies for pain because they help him with his arthritis.” Well, that may be so, but what’s the dosage? While one person can handle a 5 or even 10 milligram dose, you might be able to deal with only 2.5 mg or less. Everyone’s metabolism and tolerance are different. Again, as with any medication, you need to be cautious.

Edibles, in general, can cause a powerful and intense high, and you can overdose without realizing it. If you ingest too much, it can cause nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, drowsiness with dizziness, an increased risk of falling, impaired coordination, trouble standing or walking, hallucinations, rapid heartbeat, anxiety or panic attacks, confusion and delusions. Even if you were an old hand at using marijuana in your youth, many of my older patients report that these days, pot products are much stronger. They thought they had a wealth of experience, but their edible hit them with a wallop.

I suggest you speak with your doctor before trying an edible, especially if you’re combining it with any other medication. If you’ve never used THC or haven’t for many years, you may want to have someone stay with you who is sober—just in case you have a negative reaction—and be sure to stay hydrated.

More research is needed to determine the potential benefits and pitfalls of cannabis for older adults. While marijuana-infused edibles have been consumed for recreational and medicinal reasons throughout history, as far back as 2,700 B.C., ultimately, the decision is up to you whether to try one.

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