Older Americans turn to marijuana for better sleep and pain relief: Here's what to know

While cannabis has historically been more popular with younger groups, a growing number of older adults are turning to the drug for a variety of reasons — but are the potential benefits worth the risk?

A recent poll by the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging found that among people 50 years of age and older, around 21% said they have used a form of cannabis that contains the psychoactive compound THC at least once in the past year, and 12% use it on a monthly basis.

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