Aims: Cannabis is increasingly used as pharmacotherapy for numerous medical conditions. The primary aim was to characterise use of medicinal cannabis (MC) by older adults. Secondary aims were to determine perceived benefits and harms of MC and examine if MC use resulted in reduced co-prescription of opioids.
Methods: A descriptive study using phone surveys was conducted on eligible participants recruited from a geriatric outpatient clinic at a major teaching hospital in Sydney, Australia. Participants were ≥ 65 years, alive and had MC prescribed by study geriatrician between May 2021 and November 2024. The survey explored demographics, clinical information and patient responses. Qualitative data was thematically analysed. Remainder of data was analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics.
Results: The forty-six study participants had a median (range) age of 85 (70-95) years. The leading indication for MC was chronic pain (n=32, 69.5%), with five of this subgroup having dementia. Over half of participants were no longer using MC (n = 24, 52.2%). Of this group, the majority ceased MC due to nil-to-limited symptom benefit (n=17, 70.8%). The most common category of adverse effects was neurological (n=19, 41.3%), with sedation most commonly reported (n=9, 19.6%). Interestingly, over half of participants reported no adverse effects (n=25, 54.3%). 13.8% of participants taking opioids reduced their use.
Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that MC was generally well tolerated by participants. Most participants ceased MC due to nil-to-limited symptom benefit. This study provides rationale for more extensive research into the safety and efficacy of MC in older adults.