New research is continuing to show the popularity of cannabis as a recreational drug and as a treatment for a variety of diseases. A new study has come out showing that those who are over the age of 50 are as much as 20 times more likely to smoke weed than they would’ve been 30 years ago. For comparison sake, use of cannabis among those in younger generations is quite similar as it was 30 years ago.
The research comes in the form of self-reported information from the Alcohol Research Group. The study includes as much as 40,000 U.S. adults from the past thirty years. The study of individuals aged between 50 and 59 found that thirty years ago, only 0.5 percent admitted to using cannabis in the past year. In 2015, that same age group reported around 7% using cannabis in the past year.
Many have wondered as to why cannabis use would increase so drastically, but it is a different reason than most. The most viable reason would be the easing legislation throughout the country that has made cannabis more accessible and available than ever, but this is not the case. The main reason that they stated is that they are comfortable with weed. The individuals in the study grew up in the 60s and 70s, times extremely notorious for cannabis use. Because of this, most of these individuals stated that they are comfortable with using cannabis whether it be for recreational or medicinal purposes.
As mentioned earlier, the study states that individuals aged 18-29 report around 30% using in the past year. This number has changed by about 0.5% in the thirty year course which is quite amazing. This level of consistency shows the need for new reform in the industry, as this group of individuals will continue to get older and fill the population with those in favor of weed.
Many of the elderly in the study reported using cannabis for medicinal purposes. Cannabis has been reported to be one of the best medicines for many of the ailments that the elderly can face such as arthritis and even more extreme illnesses like Alzheimer’s. One of the most promising components of cannabis is the chemical within it known as CBD or cannabidiol. Cannabidiol is non-psychoactive which means that it doesn’t get patients high but still is able to give many of the medicinal qualities of the plant as a whole.
The change in percentage for the elderly using cannabis is something that is extremely promising. It is likely that this percentage will continue to grow which means that something needs to be done in terms of legislation to help change laws in favor of the population. It is clear that the public would like to see changes in the laws that currently stand. With so much of the country showing favorability for the world of cannabis, something needs to change from the government perspective.
The next few years will be extremely incremental to the world of cannabis in the U.S. With new laws being worked on to be put in place in the near future it seems as though the cannabis industry is just getting started. The hopes are high that the continuous use with all ages, genders, races and socio-economic standings will help to bring fair and equal legislation to the U.S. in the near future. Only time will tell how well this new legislation works, but it seems as though the industry is headed in the right direction.
MAPH Enterprises, LLC | (305) 414-0128 | 1501 Venera Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33146 | new@marijuanastocks.com
