Peter Grinspoon says medical cannabis helps seniors with pain and other maladies
Updated
Updated · Marijuana Moment · May 4
Peter Grinspoon says medical cannabis helps seniors with pain and other maladies
2 articles · Updated · Marijuana Moment · May 4
The Harvard Medical School instructor says older adults are the fastest-growing US cannabis users, with 25.8% of medical cannabis patients aged 65 or older and 34.5% aged 50-65.
He argues cannabis can ease chronic pain, anxiety, insomnia and chemotherapy-related nausea while sometimes reducing reliance on multiple conventional drugs and causing fewer harms than some standard prescriptions.
Grinspoon says risks include impairment, dizziness, memory effects and possible addiction, but with clinician guidance and low initial doses, seniors can use it more safely despite longstanding stigma and physician knowledge gaps.
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With cannabis now Schedule III, how will it disrupt the market for traditional pain and sleep medications?
Medical Cannabis Cuts Senior Opioid Use by Up to 22% While Improving Quality of Life, New Book Reveals
Overview
Dr. Peter Grinspoon’s new book, "Aging Well with Cannabis," highlights how seniors are turning to medical cannabis to avoid the serious side effects of traditional medications like opioids and NSAIDs. Studies show that over 90% of elderly cannabis users report better health, with significant pain relief and reduced opioid use. However, cannabis can cause side effects such as dizziness and fatigue, increasing fall risk, and there are concerns about addiction and cardiovascular issues. Despite these benefits and risks, many seniors face barriers like stigma, complex laws, and high costs, which often push them toward illegal markets. More research and better education are needed to safely integrate cannabis into senior care.