{"id":13146,"date":"2024-08-06T10:30:29","date_gmt":"2024-08-06T14:30:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/?p=13146"},"modified":"2026-03-26T02:09:53","modified_gmt":"2026-03-26T06:09:53","slug":"how-cannabis-therapy-can-benefit-senior-citizens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/how-cannabis-therapy-can-benefit-senior-citizens\/","title":{"rendered":"Medical Cannabis for Older Patients: How Cannabis Therapy Can Benefit Senior Citizens"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The media has always played a large role in shaping cannabis laws as well as shaping the public&#8217;s attitudes towards cannabis, or rather &#8216;marihuana&#8217;- as it was most commonly<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> referred to during the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/the-propaganda-behind-cannabis-prohibition-is-the-real-reefer-madness\/\">Reefer Madness<\/a> era<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Many of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/senior-citizens-drive-rapid-growth-in-cannabis-consumption\/\">senior citizens<\/a> today harbor deep-rooted fears towards cannabis <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">due to circulating official <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/301550883_Reefer_Madness_to_Marijuana_Legalization_Media_Exposure_and_American_Attitudes_Toward_Marijuana_1975-2012\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">statements<\/a>, and movie taglines that all suggested that while \u201copium, morphine and heroin\u201d are \u201cdangerous drugs&#8221;<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">even more dangerous, more deadly, than these soul-destroying drugs is the menace of marijuana<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201d. However, the fear instilled into the senior citizens of today was based on nothing but propaganda driven by personal interest. Fortunately, today many media platforms are dedicated to delivering supported claims of the efficacy and safety of cannabis as a therapeutic product and more senior citizens coming around to it. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now, more than ever, senior citizens are learning about the benefits of cannabis despite whether their opinion on cannabis was influenced by the Reefer Madness era or the counterculture movements of the 60s and 70s.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/a-recent-study-says-that-more-seniors-are-saying-yes-to-cannabis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A recent student even found that more seniors are saying yes to cannabis than ever before<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, whether they are doing so because cannabis can help with the aging process, whether it induces nostalgia or whether they are turning to cannabis for ailment relief. Despite the fears and concerns one may have, research has suggested that cannabis is not only safe for consumption but is also effective as a therapeutic tool for symptoms and conditions associated with aging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>What Happens to Our Bodies as We Age?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.who.int\/news-room\/fact-sheets\/detail\/ageing-and-health\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The World Health Organization (WHO) explains<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> that aging, at a biological level, \u201cresults from the impact of the accumulation of a wide variety of molecular and cellular damage over time\u201d. This accumulation of damage over time will lead to a decrease in one\u2019s physical and mental capacity. This includes an increased risk of disease and then eventually, death. It\u2019s a gloomy reality but one we must come to accept. However, the results of aging are quite loosely associated with age in years. This means that two individuals of the same age in years,\u00a0 could be in different stages of aging For example, one may be in good health and fully functional, while the other is growing weaker and requires assistance to function.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">WHO has set out the common health conditions associated with aging and includes the following:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/hearing-loss\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Hearing loss<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/cataracts\/\">Cataracts<\/a> and refractive errors<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pain, especially in the back and neck<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/osteoarthritis\/\">Osteoarthritis<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/diabetes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Diabetes<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dementia<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Comorbidity (when there is the presence of two or more health conditions)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The organization also explains that \u201cit is important not just to consider approaches that ameliorate (meaning to make better) the losses associated with older age, but also that may reinforce recovery adaptation and psychological growth\u201d. A potentially effective approach to dealing with the results of aging, while also encouraging recovery, is cannabis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How Cannabis May Benefit the Aging Population<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see, or perhaps you already know, that aging is not for the faint-hearted. As our bodies degrade, ailments and health conditions arise that can cause significant challenges to activities of daily living and may require a substantial amount of pharmaceutical medication to alleviate or manage. Let&#8217;s <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">have a look at some of the conditions associated with aging that cannabis has been known to help treat.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Geriatric Conditions That Cannabis Can Help:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/chronic-pain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Chronic Pain<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/cancer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancer<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/multiple-sclerosis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Multiple Sclerosis<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/glaucoma\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Glaucoma<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/parkinsons-disease\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Parkinson\u2019s Disease<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/parkinsons-disease\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alzheimer\u2019s Disease<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/dementia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Dementia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/mental-health-and-cannabis-studies-show-the-benefits\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&#8211; including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/depression\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depression<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/anxiety\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anxiety\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/the-science-behind-the-munchies-and-why-we-get-them\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loss of Appetite<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/insomnia\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Insomnia<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2><strong>How Cannabis and Pharmaceuticals Can Work Together<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many pharmaceutical medications come with risks and adverse side-effects, which may require additional medication of their own. However, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/medical-cannabis-and-conventional-pharmaceuticals-dont-have-to-be-enemies\/\">medical cannabis and pharmaceutical medications do not need to be competitors or even enemies<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Combining cannabis with pharmaceutical medications can help reduce side effects. A<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">n example of an effective and common combination of cannabis and pharmaceuticals is <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/study-determines-cannabis-is-indeed-beneficial-during-chemotherapy\/\">when cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy use cannabis to manage the side effects<\/a> that often include nausea and loss of appetite. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis can also be used to reduce or even replace commonly concerning pharmaceuticals, such as those that are opioid-based and commonly prescribed for pain, especially <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/marijuana-vs-opioids-which-is-more-effective-for-treating-pain\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">since cannabis has been found to be a more effective pain alleviator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and since it has been found to be preferred by patients.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Using cannabis alongside pharmaceuticals can improve the outlook and concerns that many have about taking medications. Both medication and cannabis come with the risk of negative side effects, but it&#8217;s worth noting that the side effects of cannabis are shown to be significantly less severe. And many utilize cannabis to help deal with adverse reactions to their prescriptions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interested patients should first consult with a qualified healthcare provider. Never self-diagnose or self-treat, and keep in mind there may be other safe and established medication options your healthcare provider may recommend. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, let&#8217;s explore what research has to say about cannabis therapies for senior citizens.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Existing Research on Cannabis for Senior Citizens<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3><strong>Increased Use Among Older Adults<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is commonly assumed and accepted that the most common demographic consuming cannabis is young adults, but <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/cannabis-use-increasing-amongst-baby-boomers\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">recent statistics have shown that the number of middle-aged or older adults who are consuming cannabis has increased rapidly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the last decade and may soon void that common assumption. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S0376871618304538\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">article<\/a> published by the journal <em>Drug and Alcohol Dependence<\/em><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it was found that there was more than double the amount of cannabis consumers in the older category, around 9% for people aged 50-64 and around 2.9% for 65 years and older. While those statistics seem small, it is still double that of the previous decade.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since then,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> another <a href=\"https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamainternalmedicine\/article-abstract\/2761271\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">study<\/a> has been conducted which found that the amount of cannabis consumers older than 65 has risen to 4.2% in just three years<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (2015-2018). The same study found that there was a significant increase in consumption amongst women as well as amongst those who suffer from diabetes, have one or less chronic conditions, received mental health treatment as well as reported recent alcohol use.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Evidence of Efficacy<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This first <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6912698\/pdf\/jcm-08-01819.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">study<\/a> looked at the efficacy of cannabis, specifically with regards to seniors,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and ultimately concluded that more research needs to be conducted considering the limitations of the research currently available. The study had 153 participants who were 75 years or older, with 84.8% of them reporting some degree of improvement. The researchers allocated six-months after the study to check up on the participants and their cannabis use and found that 58.1% of the participants were still using cannabis, while only 8.1% of the participants discontinued their medical cannabis use, and the rest were lost to follow-up or did not complete treatment plans by the time of the analysis.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ejinme.com\/article\/S0953-6205(18)30019-0\/abstract\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">next study<\/a> also looked at the efficacy of medical cannabis in the elderly, as well as the safety.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The highlights of the study include finding that pain and cancer were the most common indications for cannabis use in the elderly, that 93.7% of participants reported improvements in their conditions during a six-month treatment, that there was a decrease in prescription medication use as well as finding that there was a decreased number of reported falls during the six-month treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/www.medpagetoday.com\/meetingcoverage\/aan\/78289\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">final study<\/a> also supports evidence of having a reduced need for pharmaceuticals, especially of those containing opioids, when consuming medical cannabis<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The study found that cannabis was well-tolerated among elders and that significant symptom relief was reported. Additionally, the study also reports that 32% of the participants reduced their opioid medication consumption. In this same study, it was reported that 69% of participants experienced symptom relief, with 49% improvement in pain, 18% improvement in sleep, 15% improvement in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/neuropathy\/\">neuropathy<\/a> as well as 10% improvement in anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Consumption Methods and Advice<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For many senior citizens, or elders, consuming cannabis is associated with getting \u2018high\u2019 and while cannabis is good for that too, it is possible to consume cannabis without getting \u2018high\u2019. If one wants to avoid getting high, they simply need to consume cannabis products with a low quantity of the intoxicating cannabinoid known as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/uncovering-thc-the-cannabis-plants-most-famous-cannabinoid\/\">tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember that <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">both THC and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/veriheals-complete-guide-to-cbd-heres-everything-you-need-to-know\/#is-cbd-psychoactive-?\">cannabidiol (CBD)<\/a> are psychoactive<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because they both affect your brain; however, the difference is that THC makes you feel intoxicated which is what the \u2018high\u2019 stems from. So in order to ensure your best experience with cannabis, make sure to buy the right products. Try to purchase products containing low levels of THC, unless you do not mind the intoxication; also, try to aim for <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/how-to-spot-high-grade-cannabis-from-lower-quality-products\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">products of good quality<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with available <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/all-about-cannabis-third-party-testing-and-certificates-of-analysis\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">testing information<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Be cognizant of products that coincide with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/the-bioavailability-of-cannabis-through-various-delivery-methods\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a compatible consumption method.<\/span><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In other words, do not buy cannabis flower if you can\u2019t smoke it unless you plan on making your own products or edibles like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/how-to-make-cannabutter\/\">cannabutter<\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><strong>Methods and Examples of Consumption:<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inhalation: smoking or vaping.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sublingual: administration under the tongue through drops, tinctures, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oral: edibles, capsules, drops, etc.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Suppository: rectal or vaginal administration of capsules\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Topical and Transdermal: ointments, lotions, patches, etc.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senior citizens should consult their physicians so that they may decide on the best methods of consumption to suit personal needs and preferences.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>The Pros and Cons of Medical Cannabis Use for Seniors\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As with most things in life, there are pros and cons for using cannabis as an aging citizen. Many in the elderly population are already on medication and research for cannabis drug interactions is limited. Again, it&#8217;s so important to consult with a doctor beforehand. An example of a bad pairing, for the moment, would be for heart patients since research is now pointing out that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/experts-warn-that-cannabis-can-interfere-with-certain-heart-medications\/\">cannabis can interact with heart medication<\/a> and also <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/evaluating-the-relationship-between-cannabis-and-heart-disease\/\">have possible negative effects<\/a>. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The interactions of cannabis are complicated and should be approached with caution, especially if you are chronically consuming medication for a condition.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>The Pros<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>The Cons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Elders may enjoy potential medical benefits of cannabis due to its many protective, reductive, and therapeutic uses.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis is not a cure-all and could potentially interact with prescription medication.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can use medical cannabis without getting \u2018high\u2019 by choosing products with low THC content.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some THC content is advised so that you may benefit from <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/what-does-new-cannabis-research-tell-us-about-the-entourage-effect\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the entourage effect- which is when the compounds in cannabis work together synergistically<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Unfortunately, this may run the undesired risk of getting \u2018high\u2019, especially if the content has not been properly tested.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consuming a strain with <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/exploring-cbn-the-sleepy-cannabinoid\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a significant quantity of the sleepy cannabinoid, CBN<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, can alleviate insomnia.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Consuming a strain that makes you sleepy when you do not want to be sleepy or need to be alert may be a concern.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some patients who use medical cannabis experience a reduced need for opioid use.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis can cause dizziness, which can then cause problems with balance, a major concern for many senior citizens as bodies become more fragile with age.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis use, along with better sleep, means a reduction in pain, increased appetite, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/inflammation\/\">inflammation<\/a> reduction, and ultimately an increased quality of life.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Medical insurance, and medical aid, will not cover cannabis as a therapeutic tool or medication.<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis potentially <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/how-does-cannabis-help-manage-type-1-and-type-2-diabetes\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regulates blood pressure and increases blood flow as it acts as a vasodilator<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cannabis <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">may negatively impact certain heart conditions,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0especially if it is interacting with medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Unfortunately, the lack of available research plagues the whole of the cannabis industry. However, the limited research that exists and anecdotal evidence supports cannabis&#8217; potential as an effective therapy and a safe option for alleviating an array of symptoms and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/conditions\/\">conditions<\/a>, many of which are associated with or attributed to aging.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many of the health conditions associated with aging are also likely to be found on lists of qualifying conditions for state medical cannabis programs. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/blog\/why-would-i-get-a-medical-marijuana-card-if-its-rec-in-my-state\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Senior citizens should consider obtaining a medical cannabis card, or mmj card<\/span><\/a>. It opens doors for patients so that they can pay<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lower costs, be allowed higher possession limits, have the ability to grow more cannabis, be eligible to enter exclusive medical dispensaries, gain access to stronger potency if needed, and have stronger legal protection.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Obtaining a medical cannabis card sounds like an easy process, but it can be complicated depending on state laws. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.veriheal.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Veriheal offers easy to use, online and simple solutions to help you get approved and find a dispensary.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Simply book your appointment with us, talk to an appointed medical cannabis doctor and the rest is easy peasy!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The media has always played a large role in shaping cannabis laws as well as shaping the public&#8217;s attitudes towards cannabis, or rather &#8216;marihuana&#8217;- as it was most commonly referred to during the Reefer Madness era. Many of the senior citizens today harbor deep-rooted fears towards cannabis due to circulating official statements, and movie taglines&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":49,"featured_media":36100,"parent":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[254,259],"tags":[7833,2537,7835,64,7838,2261,7834,3650,7836,6707,7839,7837,3649],"class_list":["post-13146","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-research","tag-aging","tag-cancer","tag-cataracts","tag-chronic-pain","tag-dementia","tag-depression","tag-diabetes","tag-elderly","tag-glaucoma","tag-heart-health","tag-insomnia","tag-parkinsons","tag-senior-citizens"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.1 (Yoast SEO v26.1.1) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Medical Cannabis for Seniors: Benefits &amp; Therapy Full Guide<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How Cannabis Therapy Can Benefit Senior Citizens: Discover the advantages of medical cannabis for older patients, and why some seniors are choosing pot over pills. 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