decades. Current estimates project that the number of individuals over the age of 60 worldwide will reach two billion by 2050, representing 22% of the overall population. The world’s population is expected to increase 3.7 times from 1950 to 2050; during that same period, the population of individuals age 60 and older will increase by a factor of 10. By 2036, approximately 25% of Canada’s population will be 65 years of age and older. In fact, Canada’s aging population is expected to grow faster than most other developed countries, with current projections stating it will take just 33 years for the number of people age 65 and older to increase by 10%. In comparison, the United States is expected to take nearly 50 years to realize this same percentage increase.
In researching trends with cannabis use and seniors, the term “cohort effect” is used prevalently. For reference, Cohort effects derive from differences between groups of people who go through a common initial event (e.g. birth) in the same time unit (e.g. year). Whereas, Period effects arise from events and changes happening as time passes by that affect individuals of all ages, for example: wars, famine, policy changes. Although the percentage of seniors using cannabis is small, this is said to be the result of its lack of exposure at a young age. This small percentage however, is offset by the sheer size of the senior population, in Canada as noted above, growing at rates well above other developed countries around the world. In addition, as our younger generation (for argument sake, someone born in the 1990’s) grows older, the percentage of seniors using cannabis will increase. The cohort effect.
As age increases, cannabis use and dependence tend to decrease. This pattern is consistent with a cohort effect, meaning cannabis use among older adults could increase in future generations as the current cannabis-using cohort ages. The frequency of cannabis use for medical purposes is lower among older adults despite an increase in the indicators for such use (e.g., chronic pain).
Even though self-reported use of other substances (such as cannabis
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