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35th AM (2025) - Poster Session
The Risk of Cannabis Use Among Seniors
The Risk of Cannabis Use Among Seniors
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Pdf Summary
This study investigates changes in cannabis use among adults aged 65 and older in New Jersey before and after legalization of recreational cannabis in February 2021. Using electronic health record data from Hackensack Meridian Health, researchers analyzed 13,651 urine drug screens (UDS) for cannabis between 2020 and 2023, primarily ordered by the Emergency Department. The study aimed to assess trends in cannabis positivity rates and their associations with demographic and clinical variables.<br /><br />Results show that the proportion of cannabis-positive UDS nearly doubled over four years, rising steadily from 5.5% in 2020 (pre-legalization) to 11% in 2023. Males had higher positive rates than females (10.0% vs. 6.7%), while Black and White patients showed similar positivity (~9%), and rates were lower among Asians (1.6%) and Hispanics (5.7%). Adjusted odds ratios confirmed significant yearly increases in positive screens post-legalization. Patients testing positive had a shorter hospital length of stay (median 2 days vs. 3 days), lower monocyte percentages, and higher hematocrit levels.<br /><br />The findings suggest that legalization increased cannabis accessibility and use among older adults, possibly reflecting shifting social attitudes. The reduced hospital stay for cannabis users could indicate altered symptom management or withdrawal effects prompting earlier discharge. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of cannabis use patterns in seniors and for tailored educational efforts addressing demographic differences. Further research is warranted to understand cannabis’s physiological impacts in this age group.<br /><br />In summary, cannabis use among seniors in New Jersey has risen significantly since recreational legalization, with distinct demographic patterns and clinical correlates observed in hospital settings. This underscores the public health importance of focused strategies to guide safe cannabis use and optimize care for the aging population.
Keywords
cannabis use
older adults
New Jersey
recreational cannabis legalization
urine drug screens
cannabis positivity rates
demographic differences
clinical correlates
hospital length of stay
public health
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