Imagine a large charter bus pulling up to a pot shop, and unloading an army of senior citizens, lists in hand, ready to find the perfect edible, tincture, or oil. No, it’s not a Willie Nelson tour bus. Last April, CNN ran a story about the popularity of a medical marijuana dispensary in Orange County. The dispensary markets themselves as senior-friendly, and provides shuttle services from retirement communities, lovingly nicknamed by their patrons “the cannabus.”
The National Survey on Drug Use and Health found that nine percent of U.S. adults between the ages of 50 and 64, and three percent of adults 65+ have used marijuana within the survey year. It may be no surprise that baby boomers, who grew up in a notoriously weed-friendly culture, are using marijuana regularly again. It’s the senior set who is making a case for using medical marijuana for pain relief.
Seniors are among the fastest growing demographics using medical marijuana, growing 250 percent from 2006 to 2013. With legality increasing nationwide, more people are turning to it as a natural alternative to pain killers, sleep aids, and to increase appetite. As cannabis becomes more commonplace in the U.S., researchers are finding more medicinal effects of the plant.
Unlike pot, medical marijuana comes from a pure, uncut cannabis plant (“street weed” can contain other substances.) Marijuana contains more than 100 chemicals called cannabinoids. The two that have been identified by scientists with specific medical benefits are delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD). These chemicals bind to the body’s CB1 and CB2 receptors. These receptors are part of the endocannabinoid system that promotes regularity across all major body systems to ensure they work harmoniously with one another.
CB1 receptors live in the brain and other areas of the central nervous system, along with organs such as the digestive tract, liver, lungs, kidneys, and eyes. CB2 receptors live in tissues related to immune function like white blood cells, tonsils, the thymus (a lymphoid organ) and the spleen. Some CB2 receptors have preliminarily reduced pain equal to the effects of morphine without narcotics, feeling high, or side effects that could be detrimental to seniors like falls, confusion, seizures or hallucinations.
Why is this important? THC and CBD have different effects. THC is the ingredient that provides the high feeling or sense of euphoria. CBD has been found to have many healing effects for pain management and reducing inflammation, making it a popular alternative for seniors with arthritis or general pain.
Medical marijuana is used to treat symptoms for a variety of conditions. Studies have shown that marijuana helps with nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy and can help patients regain their appetite. In a 2014 study, specialists at St. George’s at the University of London found that using cannabis alongside radiation therapy for brain cancer patients drastically slowed the growth of tumors.
Multiple studies have shown that THC promotes the removal of amyloid beta protein clumps in the brain, which is commonly believed to be the starting point of Alzheimer’s disease. Research shows THC slows the formation and progression of plaques on the brain and stops the inflammatory response from the nerve cells. Other studies have shown that marijuana can help manage some of the behavioral symptoms like agitation and aggression. This may be beneficial to both the person with Alzheimer’s/dementia and their caregiver. Clinical trials investigating how marijuana works with Parkinson’s disease have shown decreased symptoms of psychosis, REM behavior sleep disorder, tremors, and patients noted a better quality of life.
While more seniors are flocking to medical marijuana dispensaries to try this new method of medicating, it’s not without trepidation. Many seniors fear getting high no matter what delivery method they use. CBD doesn’t cause the euphoric effects THC does, making it safer for those who don’t want to experience that side effect. Only when CBD combines with THC will you experience feeling stoned.
CBD lotions, salves, balms and oils are becoming popular with baby boomers and older people alike as a natural solution for inflammation and pain. If derived from a hemp plant rather than a marijuana plant, CBD is federally legal, making it a new, trendy ingredient in mainstream products sold at major national stores like Whole Foods and Sephora.
CBD’s calming effect has proven to be helpful for a variety of disorders, including generalized anxiety and depression. Many seniors have found it helpful in situational anxiety and depression brought on by major life changes.
The medical industry is working to make CBD a legitimate medication. In June 2018 the Food and Drug Administration approved Epidolex, the first prescription medication containing CBD to treat epilepsy.
While medical marijuana and CBD infused products are proving to provide relief for a variety of ailments, using it in a medical capacity is not without its challenges.
While medical marijuana and CBD infused products are proving to provide relief for a variety of ailments, using it in a medical capacity is not without its challenges.
Medical marijuana may not be right for every senior, but medical use has been found to be effective. Look into your state’s laws and consult your physician about options. Aegis Living has specific policies to work with each resident’s physician to approach medical marijuana in a safe and effective way by having route, dose, and reason for the medication provided with a prescription.
This article and its author are not providing specific medical advice, but rather provide reader with general information to better understand the use of cannabis products by seniors. Readers should consult with a qualified physician for diagnosis and for answers to your personal questions.
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.