A new study published in Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research offers one of the most detailed looks to date at marijuana use among Californians over 50 who serve as informal caregivers.
The analysis, conducted by scientists from the University of Iowa, the University of California San Diego, and the University of Arkansas, used responses from nearly 10,000 adults surveyed in 2019 and found that those providing unpaid daily assistance to an older adult were significantly more likely to report past-year marijuana use than people in the same age range who were not involved in caregiving.
The researchers identified more than 2,800 informal care partners, a group largely made up of spouses and adult children. Over 36% of them had used marijuana in the past year, compared with 28% of noncaregivers. Caregivers supporting someone with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia had even higher rates, suggesting that the demands of dementia care may contribute to use. The study also found associations between marijuana use and certain health conditions, with caregivers who used marijuana more likely to report asthma, diabetes, and feelings of nervousness. Despite these differences, marijuana use was not tied to increased emergency room visits, though it was linked to more doctor visits overall and a greater likelihood of delaying their own medical care.
The authors note that California’s long history with medical and adult-use marijuana likely shapes higher use rates across the board, but the patterns within the caregiver population point toward marijuana being used as a form of self-care. With the number of aging Americans who rely on unpaid support continuing to grow, the study underscores the need for additional research into whether marijuana helps caregivers manage stress and symptoms or introduces new risks.
