WASHINGTON: A new report has revealed that as the use of marijuana is being legalized across the United States, a large number of young people as well as the elderly are becoming addicted to the drug.
According to a study conducted by the US Food and Drug Administration that reviewed data on nearly 56 million people, the rate of marijuana-related medical problems increased from 2017 to 2022.
Dr. Silvia Perezviller, who led the study, said the FDA team’s analysis showed a steady increase in marijuana use among the elderly population over the course of the 5-year study.
Experts have expressed concern over the rise in marijuana-related addiction and mental health crises in the past few years. Another study found that people who use marijuana are 11 times more likely to experience a mental illness than those who abstain from the drug.
The FDA team added that overall, the data show that the increased rates of marijuana-related disorders in older adults appear to be related to the legalization of marijuana use, according to documents released by medical institutions. .
