Marijuana use is increasing dramatically among older adults, leading doctors to voice concerns about the safety of the drug for those over 65. One study estimates that cannabis consumption in this demographic has jumped 75 percent from 2015 to 2018, and accelerated even further during the COVID-19 pandemic. Analysts say contributing factors include lockdown stress, legalization and a backlash against opioids. And as is true with so many debates about legalization, the policy is moving way ahead of the science: physicians warn that the data is still very unclear about the safety of medical marijuana, and whether or not they actually help medically. While some studies show that pot can alleviate nausea from chemotherapy and certain types of chronic pain, the impact is usually modest.
Meanwhile, as lawmakers in New York State hash out a new marijuana legalization bill, the New York Daily News has published an editorial urging the legislature to include a ban all driving while under the influence of pot. It notes that every state that has legalized marijuana had seen an increase in impaired driving, along with more crashes, injuries and fatalities. Another reason: there are no reliable tests for drug-related DUI as we have for alcohol, making it hard for law enforcement to control.
And finally, there are conflicting rulings from the White House about marijuana policy and hiring staff. At first, the Biden administration signaled that past pot use wouldn’t necessarily disqualify a person from employment, a reversal from previous presidents. Now, it seems that 5 staff members have been let go for using pot in the past—highlighting how murky the guidelines are. For example, some staff members that did consume marijuana are being allowed to stay on, after signing a pledge not to use while working for the government and submit to random drug testing. The conflict reflects confusion about broader marijuana policy, as progressives try to secure support from President Biden for more far reaching cannabis reform, while he favors a moderate approach in line with existing science.