Generational Cannabis Use Patterns in 2025: Seniors to Teens

It is no secret that cannabis is more accepted within North American society than ever before.  With that being the case, it is not surprising to learn that consumption patterns in the United States have shifted markedly in recent years, with each generation exhibiting unique behaviors and preferences.  In a recent study¹ led by NYU researchers, it was found that 7 percent of Americans aged 65 and older reported using cannabis in the past month.  This is notable, as it is up from 4.8 percent in 2021 and 5.2 percent in 2022.  At the same time, industry surveys reveal a plateau in daily use among adults alongside growing interest in edibles.

A Surge in Senior Cannabis Use

Just two decades ago, fewer than 1 percent of seniors reported any cannabis use in the past year; today, past-month use has climbed to 7 percent in only two years.  Beyond overall prevalence, the demographic profile of older users is also changing: increases are most pronounced among college-educated, married, higher-income adults, and women in particular, narrowing the historical gender gap.

Why Seniors Are Turning to Cannabis

Recent studies point to several therapeutic benefits driving senior adoption.  First, many older adults suffer from chronic pain conditions – joint hypermobility syndromes and fibromyalgia, chief among them – that respond poorly to conventional analgesics.  Medical cannabis has been shown to reduce pain severity and improve function in hypermobility-related chronic pain, helping patients regain mobility and reduce reliance on opioids.  Similarly, specific cannabis terpenes (such as myrcene and beta-caryophyllene) exhibit anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties that may ease fibromyalgia symptoms, improving sleep quality and daily comfort.

Beyond pain relief, weight management concerns may even be driving some seniors toward THCV-rich strains.  Tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV) has been studied for its appetite-suppressant effects and potential to modulate metabolism.  It offers a novel adjunct to traditional weight-loss approaches for older adults facing obesity-related health risks, which are more prevalent than ever before.

Finally, general chronic-pain studies confirm that a balanced cannabinoid regimen can lower pain scores by up to 30 percent, enhancing quality of life by reducing pain-related anxiety and depression.

These cumulative benefits – pain reduction, better sleep, improved mood, and potential metabolic effects – help explain why cannabis is becoming a popular adjunct in senior self-care regimens.

Adult Consumption: Plateauing Daily Use, Rising Edibles

While legal access and social acceptance continue to drive broader adult adoption, frequency of use appears to be stabilizing at the high end.  Recent data indicate that roughly 17 percent of U.S. adults aged 21 and over now use cannabis daily or almost daily – a level that has held steady since early 2024, suggesting market maturation in which occasional and moderate users keep pace with high-frequency consumers.

Meanwhile, product preferences are shifting: edibles, beverages, tinctures, and vaporizer cartridges capture growing market share as consumers seek discretion, convenience, and controlled dosing.  Approximately 20 percent of adult consumers express interest in trying infused beverages, and edible categories continue to expand, offering everything from gummies and chocolates to functional beverages designed for sleep or relaxation.  These non-inhalation methods pose unique challenges due to delayed onset and variable metabolism, making clear labeling and dosing education critical.

Teen Use: Declines and Ongoing Concerns

Adolescent substance-use surveys show mixed signals.  Although overall teenage use of alcohol, nicotine, and many illicit drugs has edged downward in recent years, accompanied by growing disapproval of cannabis, the plant remains the most prevalent substance among high-school students.  Approximately 25 percent of U.S. 12th-graders report past-year cannabis use, and nearly 44 percent have experimented by graduation.  Early initiation, especially before age 18, is linked to higher risks of dependence, cognitive impairment, and adverse psychiatric outcomes, underscoring the need for sustained prevention efforts that combine school-based education, parental engagement, and community outreach.

Integrating Generational Insights

Taken together, these data paint a nuanced portrait of cannabis in America.  Older adults are embracing cannabis in unprecedented numbers, often for symptom relief but with elevated risks due to polypharmacy and comorbidities.  Working-age adults show signs of market maturity, plateauing daily use even as new product formats attract a broader user base.  Adolescents remain a vulnerable group, with persistent experimentation rates that warrant ongoing prevention and early-intervention programs.

Studies Referenced:

^{1. Han BH, Yang KH, Cleland CM, Palamar JJ. Trends in Past-Month Cannabis Use Among Older Adults. JAMA Intern Med. Published online June 02, 2025. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2025.1156}