Doctors urge safe medical cannabis use as more seniors turn to marijuana

Older adults are becoming the fastest‑growing segment of medical cannabis patients, according to the author, an addiction specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital.

He recounts a recent incident in which a woman in her seventies, after using cannabis at a party, became confused and fainted, requiring an ambulance. The episode underscored the potential risks when seniors use marijuana without medical guidance.

Drawing on years of experience treating thousands of cannabis patients with minimal adverse effects, the doctor argues that physicians should play a central role in helping older patients navigate dosing, interactions, and safety to maximize benefits while minimizing harm.