Study Finds Majority of NYC Seniors Use Cannabis Recreationally
A NYU Langone survey shows about 60% of New York City residents aged 65 and older use marijuana for fun, surpassing those who use it for medical reasons.
A recent study by NYU Langone Health surveyed 315 New York City residents aged 65 and older, revealing that about 60% use cannabis recreationally, outnumbering those who take it for chronic pain, anxiety or sleep. Dispensary employees on the Upper West Side note that senior customers often ask for the strongest THC products, with one 90-year-old buying ten vapes in a single visit. Some older users are former hippies returning to marijuana now that it is legal, recalling experiences from events like Woodstock.
Researchers also found that 11% of seniors had used cannabis within the past 24 hours and that more seniors reported smoking weed than cigarettes over the previous year. Dr. Jeremy Palamar linked the rise to reduced stigma and the cultural legacy of the late-60s generation.
Why it matters
The findings highlight a growing recreational cannabis market among seniors, signaling shifting attitudes and potential impacts on public health and retail trends.
In this story
