Spike in ER Visits Related to Cannabis
The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society released a study at the beginning of the year showing a 1,808% increase in cannabis-related visits to the emergency department among California residents over 65 years old. In 2005 there were 366 cannabis-related trips to the ER, while in 2019, there were 12,167.
This massive increase can be associated with the legalization of cannabis in many states. More and more people, including older adults, are utilizing cannabis socially and treating their symptoms, whether mild or severe.
Unfortunately, older people ignore the potential risks of cannabis, such as slower reaction time, impaired attention, increased risk for psychosis, delirium, and paranoia, intensified cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, and negatively reacting with other medications. These unintended consequences are, what this study suggests, the reason for such a spike in ER trips.
With that said, the study found no correlation between the legalization of recreational cannabis and a higher rate of emergency department visits among older people.
Read what this study suggests regarding educating older adults about cannabis and its potential risks.
Source:
Han, B.H. et al. (2023). Trends in emergency department visits associated with cannabis use among older adults in California, 2005–2019. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18180