Evidence is limited with regard to the potential benefits and harms of cannabis use, especially among older adults who often face unique physical and socioeconomic circumstances that may influence their response to cannabis. Physiological changes that impact sleep, mobility, diet, exercise, and overall quality of life, along with issues such as polypharmacy and cognitive decline are all confounding factors in the effects and response of cannabis use in this population.

Older adults, have a higher lifetime prevalence of use and past year use of cannabis than any generation that precedes them (Simoni-Wastila & Yang, 2006). This increased lifetime exposure, coupled with the recent legalization of non-medical cannabis use in Canada and subsequent increase in public interest, has driven the need for health professionals to be aware of the most recent research on the use of cannabis for medical and non-medical purposes.