KIDDING ASIDE, CANNABIS OFFERS AN AGELESS BENEFIT
Imagine the scene, comfortable and familiar — a group of friends gathered in a cozy apartment, tasty snacks spread about, in one room a turntable is spinning classic rock, from another room comes successive bursts of uproarious laughter from those watching a series of old Looney Tunes cartoons. Good times.
Between the noshing and jamming and laughing the friends are sharing stories of the last time they got high. Remember Cheech and Chong, fits of hysteria, getting the munchies? The difference this evening — aside from a half-a-century of time that’s passed — these good old times are fueled by Cannabis edibles — gummies, crackers, chocolates and brownies.
CHRONIC RELEAF
While marijuana’s medicinal benefits are gaining widespread acceptance, it is the herb’s custom of communal use that offers especially welcome relief as we grow older. The Reefer-Madness rejecting boomer generation who now uses medical marijuana therapeutically to control ailments, aches and pains also is rediscovering marijuana as a social activity.
Temporary relief may be the impetus, but the more sustainable result of social cannabis use may be participants’ renewed sense of belonging. This is critical, considering the growing body of research that identifies loneliness, isolation, even depression as fundamental concerns among older adults.
Seriously, this is a laughing matter. Socialization has healing powers. So too does laughter, observed Mel Brooks:
When you laugh, it’s an involuntary explosion of the lungs. The lungs need to replenish themselves with oxygen. So you laugh, you breathe, the blood runs, and everything is circulating. If you don’t laugh, you’ll die.
A good laugh won’t cure aging, but it definitely smooths some of the rough edges. Cheerful get-togethers are the sort of panacea we all can use. The reality, for far too many older adults, is that lack of socialization leads to despair and depression. Moreover, a negative perception of aging, research shows, literally shorten lives.
THE BUZZ IS REAL
“Medical marijuana is only going to become more important in our lives as we grow older,” wrote editor-in-chief Craig Tomashoff in the 2019 edition of The Complete Guide to Medical Marijuana. Whether optimistic or prophetic, the buzz is real and when administered via a social activity it can be lifesaving and life-extending experience.
Enter commerce and the normalizing of marijuana use. While the social benefits of marijuana may be an unintended consequence, various cannabis retailers are intentionally marketing the curative effects of the drug to older adults and specifically within retirement communities. The huge national MedMen chain is targeting boomer-rich Florida markets. Other retailers are hosting workshops and in-home visits across California, the state ranked the most business-friendly in the nation, according to a recent analysis.
Don’t be surprised if the next, best cannabis marketing slogan is “Laughter is the best medicine. (Edible, take with a dose of Looney Tunes for old-times’ sake.)”
hello, I am an aging 320 student at the Erickson School of aging. upon reading this article I fully support your stance on the benefit of medical marijuana. This is because of the beneficial use of marijuana increasing quality of life not just medically but socially as well. It is very important to increase the social lives of the elderly because if their social lives arent fully enjoyed it can lead to isolation and cause their lifespans to decrease as well as lead them to have their quality of life degrade over their final years
Thank you for commenting, B.B. Your support and additional input is appreciated.
Hi,
I’m an AGING 320 student at the Erickson School of Aging and I found this article and can’t wait to share it! I’m an advocate of medical marijuana and holistic healing and medicine in addition to being concerned about loneliness and social isolation in older adults. It is a perfect opportunity to bring people together for a social gathering, have a few laughs and maybe some snacks then go home and get a good nights rest. Social isolation and loneliness and the adverse health effects it can have, is something that can be reduced and prevented. The current older generation is a bit harder to get through to to break the stigma but I think it is slowly happening. I love it. I have a few family members who are boomers and have been against marijuana but would really benefit from it. 🙂
g.l. — I am glad the article resonated with you and that you feel it is worth sharing. Thanks. — Stuart
Greetings! I’m an Aging 320 student of the Erickson School of Aging. I enjoyed reading your optimistic outlook on medicinal marijuana, especially due to the negative perceptions about it and its’ rejection from the boomer population. I agree with your insight on marijuana regarding its’ social and therapeutic uses that it could help strengthen the livelihoods of the older population. Based on the teachings of the class, and from experience working in the medical field, I learned that many older people don’t have consistent friends or loved ones that socializes/visits them. With the lack of support, communication, and human connection, the individual may suffer from depression, loneliness, anxiety, etc. Cases of experienced occurrences of isolation due to lack of close family ties and activities would lessen because marijuana would give participants a “renewed sense of belonging” as you mentioned. Utilizing marijuana improves one’s quality of life by reversing poor health outcomes and maintains healthy ones.
Appreciate your comments and validation based on your medical experience. Thanks Deaira.
Hello, I am a student in the Erickson School of Aging in the class AGNG 320. This article resonated with me because I also believe that marijuana can have many health benefits that could help improve the life quality of older adults. Though it is controversial, many people also agree that medical marijuana can be beneficial to many members of society. Studies have shown that marijuana has positive effects in pain control. Many cancer patients have utilized marijuana to help manage their pain. In addition, it can help reduce anxiety which can also help improve one’s quality of life. An unexpected aspect of marijuana is the social aspect of enjoying it together. Studies on centenarians, people who live to be 100 or over, have shown that individuals who socialize regularly and have a group of people that associate with tend to live longer. All of these benefits are great reasons why people should utilize marijuana.
Great info and addition to my article’s premise. Thank you, Travia!
Hi, I’m an aging 320 student at Erickson School of Aging. I enjoyed reading your blog. After reading about the marijuana’s medical benefits, I completely agree with you because of the relief it provides and if it gets normalized then it can be used to control ailments, aches and pains. Not only that, it will help get rid of loneliness, isolation and depression which a problem among most older adults. I agree, socialization definitely has healing powers as I have learned in class socialization can improve one’s performance of social roles, health outcomes as well as improve their quality of life. Socialization is just as important as fitness is when it comes to affecting mortality. This will change the way people age in the upcoming years. We know, as we get older, we tend our social networks start to get less but this will cause them to socialize more while lowering the risk of depression and loneliness for older adults and within the retirement communities.
Thank you Samia. For sharing your experiences and validating the benefits of socialization among older adults. Loneliness and isolation are very real problems for people of all ages and though marijuana is hardly the cure-all, if it helps people connect with one another then I agree it’s worth a try — even if just for laughs.
Changing ageing will be the optimum relief for seniors 50+ in the 21rst Century. It’s time to reduce dependence on drugs and promote more activity, creativity and productivity for seniors to live a more happy and sustainable retirement life.
Completely agree, Joe. Maybe it would help to consider marijuana a gateway drug to social connectivity. And just maybe the new relationships it enables will inspire more activity, creativity, productivity … and fun.
Great article Stuart. You’re right on target about the benefits here. Thanks
Thanks David, appreciate thew comment.