Older adults and cannabis
Aging can change how your body processes and reacts to drugs and substances. As you age your body may slow down the rate that you process cannabinoids like THC and CBD1,2.
Is it safe for older adults to use cannabis?1,2
Along with aging, other health conditions and changes can put you at a higher risk for cannabis-related complications.
- Smoking and vaping cannabis can be more hazardous and cause chronic bronchitis and/or airway injury leading to lung infections and difficulty breathing.
- Smoking or vaping cannabis can also cause changes in your heart rate and blood pressure leading to an increased risk for stroke or cardiac events such as arrhythmias, angina, or heart attack.
- Cannabis can lower blood pressure which can lead to weakness, falls and/or fainting.
- Cannabis can affect your mental health and lead to depression, anxiety, paranoia and in some cases psychosis.
- Cannabis may cause confusion and memory loss.
- Many prescriptions and over the counter medications can interact with cannabis and impact the way they work. Talk to your health care provider to decide if cannabis is right for your and to see if there might be concerns related to your other prescriptions.
Ways to reduce your risks
If you are using cannabis or considering using cannabis:
- Use the Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines (PDF) to help reduce your risks.
- For more information on using cannabis as an older adult read A Guide to Cannabis for Older Adults (PDF).
- Health Canada. (2022, July). Health effects of cannabis on adults over 55. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-medication/cannabis/health-effects/effects/adults-55-older.html
- Ottawa Public Health. (2023, December 5). Cannabis information for older adults. https://www.ottawapublichealth.ca/en/public-health-topics/cannabis-information-for-older-adults.aspx
This item was last modified on September 10, 2024