Older adults drive rising medical cannabis use as telehealth opens access

Medical cannabis use among Americans 65 and older rose nearly 46% from 2021 to 2023, according to a June 2025 JAMA Internal Medicine study by NYU and UC San Diego researchers. The trend is pushing more patients toward telehealth evaluations, including state-specific services in Florida and Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: - Medical cannabis use is rising fastest among older adults, a group that often faces chronic pain, sleep problems and other conditions that may qualify for treatment. - Telehealth is making medical cannabis evaluations easier for patients who have mobility limits, transportation problems or long distances to travel. - The shift could broaden access in state-regulated programs as more eligible patients look for remote physician evaluations.

What happened: - Researchers at New York University and the University of California San Diego found cannabis use among adults 65 and older rose nearly 46% between 2021 and 2023. - About 7% of U.S. adults in that age group reported cannabis use in the previous month in 2023, the highest level recorded to date. - The findings appeared in a June 2025 study published in JAMA Internal Medicine. - Usage increased more rapidly in states with medical cannabis programs. - BuyMedCard.com said it provides medical marijuana evaluations for eligible patients in Florida and Pennsylvania through virtual appointments with licensed physicians.

The details: - Older adults are exploring medical cannabis for chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, depression and other qualifying medical conditions. - NORML says adults over 55 are among the fastest-growing groups of cannabis consumers in the United States. - Florida and Pennsylvania both operate state-regulated medical marijuana programs. - Qualifying conditions in those states include chronic pain, PTSD, cancer and several neurological disorders. - After physician certification, eligible patients may complete registration requirements under their state medical marijuana programs. - BuyMedCard.com says its telehealth platform helps patients complete the physician evaluation portion of the certification process. - The company’s spokesperson, Joe Jones, said older adults often have questions about eligibility and the certification process. - Jones said telehealth allows patients to speak with a licensed physician from home and better understand their options.

Between the lines: - The data suggests medical cannabis is becoming part of broader healthcare conversations for older Americans, not just a younger consumer trend. - The growth of remote evaluations points to a health system adjustment: patients and providers are using telehealth to reduce friction in access to state medical cannabis programs. - The emphasis on older adults also reflects a practical need, since this group is more likely to encounter mobility and transportation barriers.

What's next: - Telehealth providers are likely to remain a key access point as demand for medical cannabis evaluations grows. - More eligible patients in Florida and Pennsylvania may use virtual consultations to determine whether they qualify under state rules. - Additional information about medical marijuana evaluations in Florida and Pennsylvania is available at more information.