The old age enters the cannabis fever in the United States

"They arrive en masse with curiosity and interest, seeking to relieve pain and sleep problems," he says. Marta Macbeth, who works in a seniors' consulting practice in California, where recreational marijuana has been legal since January and has the largest legal cannabis market in the country.

Macbeth herself, 63, uses cannabis sciatica and insomnia. And he assured that the interest is such that the presentations in retirement homes arouse a lot of interest.

Dyes, sprays, edible products and topics such as lotions and oils are the most popular products among customers of silver hair. They provide relief for a wide range of diseases without having the psychotropic effects normally attributed to the drug.

"We had a presentation these days in San José [norte de California] and there were 400 people waiting.

According to several studies, the third age is the segment of the population of users of the fastest growing cannabis in the US If the trend continues, they could outperform the youngest in terms of consumption.

The use of marijuana among Americans aged 65 and over has increased by 250% between 2006 and 2013, according to the National Survey of Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), from English)

Another study determined an increase of 71% of consumption in adults over 50 years of age between 2006 and 2016.

From arthritis to insomnia

In California, one of the 29 states where therapeutic marijuana is Legal, the industry expects the company will reach $ 6,500 million by 2020. [19659004] Experts believe that the elderly are turning to the yerba to treat a variety of diseases, from arthritis to neuropathy, insomnia and chronic pain, and avoid side effects associated with prescription drugs, including opioids.

"Some seniors take 20 different pills a day and many times these medications have a pact effect," said Beverly Potter, author of "Cannabis for Seniors," a book that helps seniors understand this new market.

Potter, who often speaks during events, always warns that illegal marijuana at the federal level – It is a drug of reference for all diseases, especially because there is little medical research.

But he firmly believes in cannabis as an alternative to traditional painkillers or sleeping pills, which can leave patients with bleeding or ulcers

"Start with little and go slowly" is the advice that Potter gives to those who are # 39; interest in consumption. "It is not important to become great, but to learn to study your body."

The effects of therapeutic marijuana vary whether it is an edible product such as biscuits or gelatin, or a cream

Blaser, chief medical officer at a dispensary in Northern California, explained that his clients did not try to find the youth but to improve their quality of life

"They say to me:" I just want to be able to work in the garden without my knees hurting me, "said L & R. Nurse of 72 years and 50 years of experience, who started to consume after a serious illness and ended up being activists. "If used correctly, it can change your life."

And Blaser believes that the more social stigma on marijuana diminishes, the more it will become an alternative.

There is the case of 68-year-old Kyle Johnson, who learned about marijuana from neighbor Mary Lou Molinaro at her home in Brentwood, north of San Francisco.

"We started the club in March and at the first meeting there were 160 people, but they feared that people would find out," said Johnson, who uses the substance to relieve his back pain and insomnia .

He said that now is the opposite, although there are still people who believe that the use of cannabis becomes high. Look at me, do I look drugged ?! "It exclaims." If you use the right product, you will find relief, not a leaflet. "

(AFP)