A new study highlights that middle-aged adults and seniors are driving under the influence of cannabis at rates that have largely been overlooked in public safety campaigns. Researchers found that about 20% of adults aged 50 and older who used cannabis reported driving while high at least once in the past year. Daily or near-daily users in this age group were three times more likely to drive after using cannabis than those who consumed it only occasionally.
The study analyzed data from the University of Michigan’s National Poll on Healthy Aging, which surveyed 3,379 adults aged 50 and older, including 729 cannabis users. Among respondents, 27% of those aged 50 to 64 and 17% of those 65 and older had used cannabis in the past year. Of these users, 27% reported daily or near-daily use, while 43% used it once or twice, 14% monthly, and 16% weekly. Men were 72% more likely than women to drive after using cannabis. Many older users reported consuming cannabis to manage mood, mental health, or sleep issues, and those using it for mental health reasons were twice as likely to drive stoned. Researchers emphasized the importance of educating older adults about safer alternatives for managing these conditions, the risks of today’s more potent cannabis, and potential interactions with prescription medications.