How The Aging Approach Marijuana

Among the many differences between generations are their views toward medical marijuana. Today, the favorability of legalization is increasing among nearly every age group.

According to a poll conducted in April 2017 by Yahoo News/Marist Poll, 83% of Americans favored marijuana legalization overall, with 65% of those aged 69 and over in favor of legalization. However, only 40% of this age group reported the possibility of trying cannabis if prescribed by a doctor, and only 6% would try it for recreational purposes.

Reservations toward cannabis are certainly prominent, especially among the “silent and greatest generation” (those over 69), who are least likely to support legalization, but are more likely to experience the symptoms which marijuana is known to treat: cancer, sleep disorders, lack of appetite, chronic pain, and Parkinson’s disease.

Due to its medicinal value, both aging parents and their adult children are considering medical marijuana as a treatment. For people like actor Patrick Stewart, or Minnesota-based writer, Jason Good – it doesn’t take much convincing. “In other families, though, no amount of suggestions or offers of assistance will persuade an aging parent to try something they still call by names that went out decades ago,” finds the author and her sources.

With changing attitudes also come opposing opinions. While stigmas still exist, more and more people are opening up – and benefiting from – the cannabis industry.