Whether it’s to “feel good,” fall asleep or curb pain, Michiganders who are 50 and older are turning to weed more often than the rest of America — smoking it, eating it, drinking it or applying it to their skin.
That’s according to the newest survey by researchers as part of the ongoing University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging. The poll, which surveys Americans 50 and older, most recently focused on the use of cannabis products that contain the psychoactive compound THC. (CBD-only products do not contain active amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC.)
Among the researchers’ findings, specific to Michigan:
- More than 1 in 4 Michiganders 50 and older (27%) used a cannabis product in the past year. Nationally, 21% of respondents in that age group reported using in the past year.
- Nearly 1 in 10 Michiganders 50 or older (9%) use cannabis daily, compared to just 5% for the rest of the country.
- Michigan respondents said they used pot to relax (84%), to help them sleep (70%), to help them feel good (65%), to address pain (66%), or to improve mental health (54%), and as part of a social gathering (43%) or to celebrate (27%).
- More than half of Michigan respondents (56%) had discussed their use with a doctor, compared to 42% nationally.
- About 1 in 5 Michigan respondents (21%) said they had driven a vehicle within two hours of using cannabis within the past year.
“Older people now are more comfortable with it,” said Jerry Millen, owner of Greenhouse, a cannabis shop in Walled Lake. “It’s our job to normalize it.”
Millen hosted an educational event for retirees interested in cannabis Tuesday and said he has had more older customers come in his shop than ever before.
Alcohol takes a toll on the aging body, and people realize that they can take a few gummies, smoke a joint or drink a cannabis drink and feel better the next morning, he added.
Millen said seniors enjoy all cannabis products but most seekcreams to help alleviate arthritis pain and gummies to help them sleep and relax.
“Gummies seem to be the go-to because there are more of them than anything, but believe me they love all the products,” Millen said. “Seniors still smoke weed.”
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