Medicinal cannabis usage varies significantly between consumers aged 40 and older and those aged 21 to 39. Understanding these differences can help dispensaries tailor their products and services to better meet the needs of their diverse customer base.
Usage Trends Among Consumers 40 Years and Older
Consumers aged 40 and older typically use medicinal cannabis to manage chronic conditions and age-related ailments. According to a study by the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, approximately 24% of older adults in the U.S. have tried cannabis for medical purposes, with 61% reporting it was helpful for conditions such as arthritis, chronic pain, and insomnia.
Common Uses and Preferences
- Pain Management: This age group primarily uses cannabis to alleviate chronic pain and arthritis symptoms.
- Sleep Disorders: Insomnia and other sleep-related issues are also significant reasons for cannabis use.
- Anxiety and Depression: Many older adults use cannabis to manage anxiety and depression, often preferring CBD-rich products that do not produce a high.
- Forms of Consumption: Older consumers often prefer tinctures, capsules, and topicals, which are easier to use and dose than smoking or vaping.
Statistics
- Pain Relief: Over 40% of medicinal cannabis users aged 40 and older use it for pain relief, as per the Journal of Pain Research.
- Sleep Improvement: About 30% report using cannabis to improve sleep quality.
Usage Trends Among Consumers Aged 21 to 39
Younger adults aged 21 to 39 tend to use medicinal cannabis for a broader range of health and wellness purposes. According to data from the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 36% of this age group has used cannabis in the past year, with a significant portion doing so for medical reasons.
Common Uses and Preferences
- Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, and stress management are primary reasons for cannabis use among this group.
- Pain Relief: Like older adults, younger consumers also use cannabis for pain relief, including sports-related injuries and chronic conditions.
- Recreational Use with Medicinal Benefits: This age group often blurs the line between recreational and medicinal use, using cannabis to enhance overall well-being.
- Forms of Consumption: Younger consumers prefer a variety of consumption methods, including edibles, vape pens, and traditional smoking.
Statistics
- Mental Health: Approximately 25% of medicinal cannabis users aged 21 to 39 use it primarily for mental health purposes.
- Diverse Consumption Methods: This age group is more likely to experiment with different forms of cannabis, with 45% reporting the use of edibles and 35% using vape pens, according to the Cannabis Consumer Coalition.
Trends in the Past 5 Years
Increased CBD Use
One of the most notable trends in the past five years is the increased use of CBD products across all age groups. CBD, known for its non-psychoactive properties, has gained popularity for its potential health benefits without the high associated with THC.
Microdosing
Microdosing, or using very small amounts of cannabis to achieve therapeutic benefits without significant psychoactive effects, has also become popular. This trend is especially prevalent among older adults seeking relief without impairment and younger adults looking to maintain functionality throughout the day.
Personalized Medicine
Advancements in cannabis research have led to more personalized medicinal cannabis treatments. Dispensaries now offer a variety of strains and products tailored to specific conditions and patient needs, enhancing the overall efficacy of medicinal cannabis.
Sources
- American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. “Cannabis Use Among Older Adults in the U.S.” Retrieved from ajgp.psychiatryonline.org.
- National Institute on Drug Abuse. “Trends & Statistics.” Retrieved from drugabuse.gov.
- Journal of Pain Research. “Cannabis Use for Chronic Pain.” Retrieved from dovepress.com.
- Cannabis Consumer Coalition. “Consumer Trends in Cannabis.” Retrieved from cannabisconsumer.org.