While the focus on avoiding “driving high” under the influence of cannabis has largely been on younger adults; it’s an important issue to put in front of seniors too.
With legalization efforts in the USA, consumption of cannabis is increasing and so too are associated risks such as impaired driving. As an example, coroner records from Montgomery County in Ohio from January 2019 to September 2024 were analyzed and of 246 deceased drivers, 41.9% tested positive for active THC in their blood. This doesn’t necessarily indicate all those drivers died as a result of THC impairment or involvement; but paints an unsettling picture.
The high rate of THC positivity remained consistent over the years and was unaffected by the state’s legalization of recreational cannabis during the period studied.
New, broader research out of University of Michigan has analyzed data from a nationally representative study of 3,379 adults aged 50 + to evaluate among other things the association with past-year driving after cannabis use (DCU) within 2 hours of consumption among this cohort.
It found more than 1 in 5 US adults aged 50 + used cannabis and 20.1 % of those reported DCU. More frequent cannabis use and cannabis use motives for mental health and sleep were significantly associated with DCU.
Other findings:
- Of 729 who had used cannabis in the past year, 27% said they use it daily or almost daily.
- 43% had used it only once or twice, with monthly users at 14% and weekly, 16%.
- 65% who said they use cannabis were between the ages of 50 and 64, with the remainder over 65.
- There was no difference among age groups in post-cannabis-use driving likelihood.
- 52% of people over 50 who use cannabis had a mental health or mood-related motive for using cannabis.
- 67% indicated a sleep-related motive.
The researchers also noted a previous study indicating past-year cannabis use rose from 9.6 % in 2013 to 20.8 % in 2024 among adults 50–54 years-old, and from 1.2 % to 10.5 % among those aged 65 +
They state:
“Interventions to prevent cannabis-impaired driving should be targeted to these aging adults; clinicians may tailor intervention delivery based on relevant risk factors (e.g., mental health concerns, daily use).”
The research has been published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
