Study: Recreational Marijuana Dispensaries Linked to Lower Suicide Rates Among Older Adults
- The study published in Health Economics found that the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries is linked to declines in suicide rates among certain older and middle-aged populations in the U.S.
- Researchers from Emory University, National Bureau of Economic Research, Demand Side Analytics, and George Washington University conducted the study focusing on rising suicide rates among older adults and the role of chronic pain and illness as risk factors.
- Suicide rates decreased notably among older White individuals and middle-aged White males and females with lower educational levels following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries.
- The researchers suggest that self-medication with marijuana for pain and health issues may contribute to the decline, indicating potential mental health benefits linked to legal marijuana access for these groups.
A study published this week in Health Economics found that the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries was associated with declines in suicide rates among certain older and middle-aged populations in the United States.
The study was conducted by researchers affiliated with Emory University, the National Bureau of Economic Research, Demand Side Analytics and George Washington University.
According to the abstract, the researchers focused on a troubling long-term trend: suicide rates among older adults in the U.S. have been increasing over time. They note that chronic pain and illness, both of which are common among older populations, are often underlying risk factors for suicide. Against that backdrop, the researchers examined whether legal access to marijuana for medical and recreational purposes may help reduce those rates.
Their findings indicate that suicide rates among older age groups fell following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries. The reduction was especially pronounced among older White individuals, as well as middle-aged White males and females with lower levels of education.
The researchers point to self-medication as one possible factor, noting that marijuana has become increasingly common among people dealing with pain and other health-related issues. While the abstract does not say marijuana access alone explains the decline, the findings suggest dispensary openings may coincide with meaningful mental health benefits for some groups.
The study’s full abstract states:
Suicide rates among older adults have been rising over time in the United States. At the same time, more individuals have been suffering with chronic pain and illness, which are often underlying risk factors for suicide. As self-medication with marijuana has become common, we ask whether access to legal marijuana for medical and recreational purposes reduces suicide rates among older individuals. We find that suicide rates among older age groups decline following the opening of recreational marijuana dispensaries, especially among older Whites, and middle-aged White males and females with low levels of education.