Seniors in pain want to try cannabis, but the stigma around the plant has prevented them from trying it, according to a new poll

The misconceptions about cannabis that began in the 1930s created a massive stigma on the herbal drug. That stigma is still there today, especially among the populations of these generations.

At least 40% of Americans over the age of 65 experience various types of pain. Some experience it for a short time while others experience long-term pain.

In seniors over 80 years of age, around 75% suffer from chronic pain. Especially those in assisted living quarters such as nursing homes.

Many of these silver-haired patients treat diseases such as kidney failure, insomnia, cancer, and other frightening conditions. Some recover after major surgery and are in severe pain. Analgesics do little to relieve pain after continued use, and these elderly people have certainly consumed the drugs continuously over their long, rich lives.

It is high time these seniors, as well as their guardians and caregivers, began to study the therapeutic benefits that can be gained from cannabis plants.

Seniors and cannabis stigma

When cannabis bans began in the 1930s, today’s seniors were just young children. From the very beginning of their lives it was ingrained in them that cannabis was an evil of society. This continued until the mid-1900s when they instilled the same messages in their children as well.

The government then portrayed cannabis as a society evil that should not be tolerated, and for these seniors it has remained a society evil.

Yes, they may have heard the news about the decriminalization of cannabis, and what’s not in their state of residence, they still consider it an illegal substance. In a poll conducted by Gallup a few weeks ago, less than 19% of Americans over 75 said they had tried cannabis at some point in their life. The acceptance of the drug in this group is so low.

For children born in their 60s, many steps have been taken to enroll in medical marijuana programs. Quite a few of these “grand folks” discreetly talk about marijuana issues as if they felt they were still breaking the law.

The cannabis stigma is worse in older Americans who are also black people. They went through traumatic episodes from the war on drugs and have been disadvantaged ever since. Most of these seniors have had their minds conditioned that cannabis use is followed by destruction.

American seniors earn more

No one young or old deserves to suffer from chronic pain. Especially when effective medical cannabis drugs are approved to treat such conditions.

Older adults who deserve to enjoy every comfort at this final stage of their life are conditioned by their experience many years ago to remain silent even in a chronic pain epidemic.

Aging itself is associated with pain to varying degrees, and all of this is made worse by social isolation, insomnia, dementia, disability, and even depression. Current data from older adults who refuse medical marijuana treatment is worrying. Because they choose to stay in pain rather than seek relief.

Overcoming the Crisis

If these older adults had tolerated NSAIDs, the silent crisis might not have been as severe. Drugs like acetaminophen, naproxen, and ibuprofen have severe after-effects on the body organs of seniors. Many who can stand opioids have made it. However, opioids are not enough to solve the problem, let alone the high risk of addiction that comes with it.

Now is the time for medical marijuana programs to bring information about the benefits of herbal medicines like cannabis to the older generation. Caregivers should also be educated about the non-addictive nature of cannabinoids.

Dissolve cannabis propaganda, stigma, and prohibition

Medical obstacles like these shouldn’t be an issue at this point in time. The scare tactics and propaganda these American seniors were exposed to at the time seriously deterred them from accessing what they need most.

The federal cannabis ban is one of the factors leading these elderly people to believe that cannabis use could likely harm them. It seals their lifelong belief that cannabis continues to pose a threat to public safety. These old folks cannot be blamed for being suspicious of herbal medicines because of their programmed beliefs.

Hilary Lum, a pediatrician and associate professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, said many of these seniors are scared and sometimes ashamed when they ask about cannabis. In a survey conducted by Lum, about 30 percent of the elderly population prefer to hide their cannabis use, if they even consent to participating in medical cannabis programs.

Older Americans can be introduced to the wonders of CBD instead of cannabis first. Many may show an interest in trying CBD to manage their symptoms. Health officials are required to provide knowledgeable medical advice to these residents at all times. Safety and access to the drug must also be made stress-free in order to encourage these seniors to choose treatment.

More cannabis research

Health professionals occasionally complain about not being able to recommend cannabis drugs due to minimal clinical research in the area.

Even in states that have legalized the medicinal use of cannabis, doctors have not been fully educated about the effects and risks of cannabis use. Because of this, most of these doctors refuse to prescribe medicinal cannabis to patients with serious illnesses.

One example of this is Texas. The state has over 43,000 doctors and only 150 are registered members of the medical cannabis program. There is no easy way an uninformed doctor can convince a senior citizen that herbal medications can serve as effective treatments.

Bottom line

Federal decriminalization of cannabis will be the most effective way to convince seniors and their caregivers that cannabis is their best bet for getting relief. Healthcare providers, journalists, celebrities, family members, caregivers, and older Americans need to talk about the benefits of cannabis as a reliable pain reliever for Americans. This could provide incentives for governments to break down barriers.

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