You might think “you can’t teach old dogs new tricks,” but polls suggest that the fastest adopters of medical cannabis happen to be “baby boomers.” This includes CBD. The stigma of cannabis has been rapidly declining in the United States since its legalization for medical and recreational use, which has considerably affected our seniors. Polls reveal a 25% incline in their adoption of cannabis use. That said, we still have a long way to go for mass adoption of CBD among the elderly.
According to a recent Gallup poll survey, 11% of Americans between the ages of 50 and 64 years old use CBD products, and 8% over 64. However, approximately only 50% of seniors report that they have tried CBD.
Older Americans can perhaps benefit the most by using CBD products as their health concerns incline and they are seeking a better quality of life. So why aren’t they all using them?
This is where knowledge is key, especially when it comes to educating yourself on the benefits and legality surrounding CBD.
As CBD-infused products become overwhelmingly popular and increasingly older adults report the benefits those products have, soon everyone will be jumping on the CBD bandwagon. Still, there’s a large number of seniors who still need convincing.
Go ahead and get that conversation going and show grandma and/or grandpa you care with these talking points.
Cannabis Products Have Gone Mainstream
The Myth of the Stoner Hippie is Over.
Perhaps the biggest reason seniors are steering clear from CBD is the stigma attached to cannabis. They grew up during a time when people largely smoked marijuana to get high and not because it was good for their health. Marijuana, during that time, also had strong ties to hippie culture, and from there, a negative stigma was born. People who used cannabis were considered lazy, unmotivated, unemployed, and unintelligent.
But with the proliferation of CBD-infused products in the mainstream marketplace, that stigma has quickly become a thing of the past.
A little known fact is that cannabis was legal in the United States once before.
It wasn’t until the 1930s that the U.S. developed a growing concern, which led many states to ban cannabis. In 1937, a man by the name of Harry Anslinger launched an anti-marijuana campaign that led to the Marijuana Tax Act of 1937. With it came regulations on the possession and distribution of marijuana. Those caught with marijuana illegally were subject to pay a hefty monetary fine and could face up to 5 years in jail. Marijuana became a drug, not unlike that of alcohol during the Prohibition Era of the 1920s and 30s.
Unfortunately, this also hit the THC-free hemp plant. But guess what, prohibition on the hemp plant is over. Moreover, its psychoactive cousin is also going mainstream as it becomes legal or decriminalized across the nation for medical or recreational use. That said, cannabis with THC is not right for everyone, particularly those with heart conditions, thus we advocate the THC-free variety that is generally recognized as safe for most consumers.
CBD is Legal
In December, the 2018 Farm Bill, officially titled the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, was signed into law, which legalized industrial hemp for growth, transport, and sale of hemp products as long as they contain minimal amounts of THC (less than 0.3 percent). Still, you might have to remind grandma or grandpa that THC is responsible for euphoria and munchies, not CBD.
While marijuana is still deemed illegal under the Controlled Substances Act, the cultivation of hemp is not. Law-abiding grandma or grandpa may see a green leaf on a CBD product and steer clear of the legal hemp product.
That is, seniors may be confused with the difference between CBD and THC. But you can safely tell them:
- Cannabidiol (CBD) is extracted from the hemp plant, a type of cannabis with negligible trace amounts of THC
- CBD will not get you high
- CBD will not cause you to fail a drug test
- CBD is considered safe for the average population by the World Health Organization, however the FDA has still not evaluated this claim.
- CBD is associated with any serious side-effects (but if someone has a history of allergies, they should consult their doctor)
Do you ever see a commercial for a prescription medication promising to cure joint pain or to help you sleep better and you balk at the laundry list of side effects?
While CBD products are not without their side effects, which could include nausea, sleepiness, and diarrhea, the number of side effects those who use CBD are far less than those that are a by-product of taking many types of prescription medications.
Common medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), corticosteroids, and prescription opioids might help pain and discomfort, but they often come with a laundry list of serious side effects. On the contrary, CBD has not been associated with serious side effects. This, in fact, is one of the reasons that seniors are starting to ask about CBD.
Seniors experience bouts of insomnia, joint pain, and a decline in eye health — these natural signs of aging, they may take interest in safe solutions to manage their health. Taking prescription medications for what ails them could make them more sensitive to the side effects that come with certain OTC drugs. What’s worse is they could be put at risk of getting a more severe condition or could experience additional symptoms unrelated to what they were originally taking the medication for.
On the other hand, CBD products, with a lower list of side effects, appears to be a much safer, more viable option.
<<Get Pain Relief From Nature’s Pharmacy>>
Topical Products Infused With CBD Could Decrease Dependence on Pills
Topical products that contain analgesics combined with CBD are of particular appeal to seniors interested in natural alternatives to prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications. In fact, among baby boomers, adults between the ages of 55 and 75 years old, 67 percent cited that as one of the main reasons for taking a CBD product.
Studies show that among seniors taking a product containing CBD for their health concerns, they believe their quality of life has improved.
At CBDMEDIC™, we know the importance of using natural ingredients, that’s why our topical pain relief and skincare products use naturally derived authorized pharmaceutical ingredients blended with THC-free, CBD rich broad-spectrum distillate from the Cannabis sativa L. hemp plant in our products alongside jojoba seed oil, cottonseed oil, and other natural emollients.
You can assure grandma and/or grandpa that they can use CBDMEDIC’s products for arthritis, back and neck pain, before, after, or during workouts (yes the elderly workout too); for general muscle and joint pain, and foot pain.
Better yet, you can treat grandma or grandpa to a gentle massage with a soothing scent of frankincense and myrrh, age-old essential oils associated with the biblical 3 wise men and known for aromatherapy benefits including stress relief.
And if minor skin conditions like eczema or itchy rashes are causing them stress, we’ve got them covered. You never know what they need in their medicine cabinet.
Just remind them:
-
- CBD is non-addictive, non-psychoactive, and THC-free
- CBD is federally legal
- CBD is naturally derived
Want to learn more about CBD? You are invited to join our community on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Don’t be shy. Share your favorite recovery stories.
Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. It has not been approved by the FDA to diagnose, treat, prevent, cure, or mitigate any diseases or conditions. We use CBD in our products for cosmetic purposes only.
