A record number of older Brits were hospitalised after smoking cannabis last year amid a surge in ‘silver smokers’, shock new figures show.
Advocates of the drug often purport that marijuana is safe because it is ‘natural’.
Yet, more than 2,700 adults aged 65 and older — including 9 over 90s — were admitted to hospital in England between April 2023 and March 2024 suffering adverse reactions or overdoses.
It marks a rise of 56 per cent on pre-pandemic levels and a staggering 650 per cent on a decade ago.
Patients reported experiencing hallucinations, withdrawal symptoms and even suffering cannabis poisoning.
In the UK, laws around the medical use of cannabis were relaxed six years ago.
This has allowed specialist doctors to prescribe medicine made from the drug to some patients with epilepsy, or to treat vomiting related to cancer treatment and symptoms of multiple sclerosis.
Meanwhile in the US, the drug has seen a meteoric rise over the past decade, culminating in legal recreational use in 24 states.
A record number of older Brits were hospitalised after smoking cannabis last year amid a surge in ‘silver smokers’, shock new figures show
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According to the NHS figures, obtained by The Sun, admissions among older adults included 1,100 patients in their 70s, 110 in their 80s and nine in their 90s.
Experts partly attributed the rise to older people trying to self-medicate.
The National Drug Prevention Alliance, said: ‘Many people who were teenagers in the 60s never gave up, or went back to it later in life.’
The UK Addiction Treatment Centres group added: ‘Cannabis is unfortunately not seen as a dangerous drug, but it absolutely can be.’
Others experts have also previously speculated that some older adults may be unaware of the drug’s strength.
The data also showed 22 babies and kids under four were admitted for cannabis poisoning.
It is believed they consumed it accidentally or were in the room when parents smoked.
In total, over 57,000 people were admitted for adverse reactions or overdoses.
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According to the figures, obtained by The Sun , admissions among older adults included 1,100 patients in their 70s, 110 in their 80s and nine in their 90s
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But the figure includes those who may have been admitted to hospital more than once with the same diagnosis.
Typical symptoms of a cannabis overdose include paranoia, hallucinations or numbness in your arms and legs, according to the health service.
Separate annual figures from the Office for National Statistics show cannabis remains the most popular drug among 16 to-59-year-olds in England and Wales.
Use was highest among 20 to 24-year-olds last year, official figures show.
Just over a quarter of all young adults quizzed between April 2023 and March 2024 said they had ever smoked weed in their lifetime.
THC — one of the main active components found in marijuana — stimulates areas of the brain involved with mood, attention and memory, while triggering the release of the hormone dopamine, responsible for feelings of reward and pleasure.
Small, infrequent doses have little long-term impact, according to studies.
But with prolonged, regular use, signals in these key brain areas can start to go awry.
Studies have shown that frequent cannabis use can increase the risk of serious mental illness like schizophrenia, as well as insomnia, social anxiety disorder and suicidal thoughts.
A 2019 study by researchers at Kings College London also found daily use of high-potency weed can increase the risk of psychosis among users five-fold.
