DiNitto, Ph.D., from the University of Texas at Austin, examined health-related characteristics, cannabis use patterns, and cannabis sources for medical and nonmedical cannabis users aged 50 years and older using data from the 2018 and 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health .
The researchers found that the rate of past-year cannabis use was 8.9 percent; 18.5 percent of past-year users reported medical use.
As part of routine care, health care professionals should screen for cannabis and other substance use, and for mental health problems,” Choi said in a statement.