A new study published in JAMA Network Open suggests a correlation between the legalisation of cannabis and an increase in healthcare encounters for cannabis-related disorders among older adults (aged 65 and over) on Medicare.

Key Findings

• Encounters with cannabis-related disorders increased from 2017 to 2022 regardless of state cannabis laws.
• The highest rates were seen in states with both adult-use and medical cannabis legalisation.
• The increase was primarily driven by non-emergency outpatient visits.
• Encounters rose faster among beneficiaries enrolled in Medicare Advantage (MA) compared to Fee-For-Service (FFS).

The Study

Researchers analysed data from Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older between 2017 and 2022. They looked at encounters documented using ICD-10 codes for cannabis-related disorders and categorised them by state cannabis legalisation status (illegal, medical, or adult-use).

Results and Implications

The study identified a rise in encounters for cannabis-related disorders among older adults, with the highest rates in states with the most relaxed cannabis laws. This could be due to increased access and comfort with cannabis use in these areas.

The finding that encounters rose faster among MA enrollees compared to FFS suggests potential differences in how healthcare providers diagnose and record these issues under different insurance plans.

Limitations and Next Steps

The study acknowledges limitations including its observational nature and the inability to definitively establish a cause-and-effect relationship between cannabis legalisation and the observed trends. Additionally, factors like demographics and the COVID-19 pandemic were not accounted for.

Further research is needed to explore the reasons behind the observed increase and to understand the potential impact of cannabis use on older adults’ health. Additionally, differentiating between marijuana and hemp, which is federally legal, could be a future area of study.

Overall Significance

This study adds to the ongoing conversation about the potential benefits and risks of cannabis legalisation. It highlights the need for further research on the impact of cannabis use on older adults’ health and for better data collection practices to understand the full picture.

Source

JAMA Network