Study: Medical Cannabis Use by Seniors Associated With Improved Quality of Life

A study published in Clinical Gerontologist finds a positive association between use of medical cannabis by those older than 60 with self-reported improvements in subjects' health-related quality of life, reports the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) . The researchers also reported significant improvement in healthcare utilization scores and pain symptoms. "Many seniors likely experimented first-hand with cannabis during their youth and are now returning to it as a potential therapy to mitigate many of the health-related symptoms that come with older age, including chronic pain," said NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano. "Many seniors are well aware of the litany of serious adverse side-effects associated with available prescription drugs, like opioids, and they perceive medical cannabis to be a viable alternative."