The Booming Senior Cannabis Trend

In the US, “Boomers” are outspending Gen Zers on legal cannabis. The Baby Boomer generation, spanning the ages of 56-74, is quickly becoming an important demographic for the cannabis industry.

Not only is the Boomer generation spending more, their consumption habits are on the rise as well. Cannabis use among seniors, according to the Journal of the American Medical Association, increased by 75% from 2016-2018 and a staggering 1050% overall since 2006. Simply put, the cannabis industry cannot afford to ignore this demographic.

In this article, we explore the cause of the blooming boomer cannabis trend in America and the ways cannabis manufacturers and retailers can best meet this demographic’s needs.

Causes of the Senior Cannabis Boom

Medical Cannabis

Medical cannabis is a safer and less addictive alternative to many prescription medications and all opioid-based painkillers. The European Journal of Internal Medicine certainly believes this to be the case, stating in 2018 that “the use of therapeutic cannabis is safe and efficacious in the elderly population” and that its consumption can “decrease the use of other prescription medications, including opioids.”

Studies show that approximately 65% of medical cannabis patients use it to manage chronic pain. Cannabis is also an effective anti-nauseant, antispasmodic and appetite stimulant, in addition to showing promise in various studies as a potential treatment for the following afflictions:

• Crohn’s disease
• Glaucoma
• PTSD
• Sleep disorders
• Wasting Syndrome 
• Alzheimer’s

Growing Legalization Trends

Seniors have more of a reputation for following rules than Millenials and Gen Zers. So it’s really no surprise that boomer consumption rates over the last 12 years have spiked in direct correlation to the number of US states that have legalized cannabis for recreational and medicinal use during that time. Using this paradigm, it wouldn’t be a stretch to predict that senior citizen cannabis consumption will likely spike even further going forward as more states join the green rush.  

Aging Users

Although the data suggests that boomer cannabis use is a recent trend, the truth is that a large segment of the senior citizen demographic has been illicitly using cannabis for decades. After all, these generations did live through the 1960s and 1970s. 

The real conclusions we can draw from this data are that more current cannabis users are ushered into senior citizenship with the passing of every year, and that seniors are purchasing cannabis through legal channels in large numbers where the options exist.

Why Vape Pens Are Ideal For Senior Cannabis Use

Ease of Use

For many seniors, especially new users, smoking cannabis can present agility issues. Having to roll and light joints requires significant dexterity, a struggle for many senior citizens including those who suffer from conditions like multiple sclerosis, arthritis, dystonia, and osteoporosis.

Breath-actuated cannabis disposables are a much better option for this demographic. These devices don’t require the push of a button or any prior operational knowledge. Users only need to put their lips on the device and breathe in.  

More Precise Dosing

Whether using cannabis recreationally or for medical purposes, dosing is important. And very few delivery methods provide more precise dosing control than vaping. 

With nearly instantaneous onset times and cannabinoid percentages listed clearly on their packages, cannabis vape products allow users to determine after just one draw from their devices whether they have gotten their preferred doses or need to take more.

This “start low and go slow” technique is a major challenge with edibles, which can take up to 90 minutes before their effects register. Moreover, edibles are inherently unreliable when it comes to consistent doses across servings of even a single product because it’s almost impossible to ensure perfect cannabinoid distribution throughout any food when cooking or baking. Even the most skilled cannabis chefs struggle to get it right. 

Safer Alternative To Smoking

Seniors are used to smoking, nearly 1 in 10 smokers in America are over the age of 65. Smoking cannabis, however, is a more dangerous form of ingestion than vaping. The risk is elevated at this age due to a greater risk of already compromised lungs. Vape pens give seniors a safer alternative for using cannabis products.

Vapor is much less damaging to the lungs than smoke. The relative safety of cannabis vape pens makes them an attractive alternative for this demographic.

Vape pens can even help smokers quit. Vaping is an easy transition from smoking, with a familiar feel and shape, making it an ideal way to change the habits learned through years of addiction. Furthermore, CBD vape pens have been shown to reduce cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and smoking cues.

Vape Pens For Seniors

Baby Boomers appreciate quality. They come from an era when products were designed with performance in mind, not cost-cutting. At Greentank, we pride ourselves on providing exceptional vape hardware that exceeds safety requirements and delivers unrivaled user experiences. Contact us today for wholesale vape pen quotes and information.