Seniors Now the Fastest Growing Demographic of Cannabis UsersBy Alex Pietrowski Now we see another interesting phenomenon in regards to the legalization of medical marijuana. In California, where many opponents of legalization have insisted that lawful cannabis would cause the greatest spike in herb useamong the states young people, quite the opposite is proving true, as citizens over the age of 55 are now the fastest growing demographic of pot users. The 55-and-older crowd is now the fastest-growing demographic of pot users in the country. Between 2013 and 2014, the number increased from 2.8 million to 4.3 million. [Source] Although they account for only 14% of the US population, seniors age 55 and up account for some 30% of the nations prescription drug use. Many of the medicines being consumed by seniors are highly addictive painkillers with seriously detrimental side effects well known to the government and the pharmaceutical industry. As truthful knowledge of the plants genuine medical benefits spread, more and more seniors are turning to cannabisfor assistance with the many medical complications associated with aging. As CBS New reports, Steve DeAngelo, owner of Harborside Medical Dispensary in Oakland, has been actively promoting cannabis to seniors, with great effect, as many of his customers now are in this demographic. His intentions for promoting to this age group are actually two-fold, however; firstly to help them find healthy alternatives to dangerous to pharmaceutical drugs, and secondly because those in this age group are typically the most outspoken advocates of prohibition. Theres [an] ironic, almost tragic phenomenon, which is that seniors, who are one of the groups who can most benefit from use of cannabis, are the single group which remains most opposed to reforming cannabis laws. Steven DeAngelo As with any medicine, cannabis is not without its drawbacks or risks, but legalization makes it possible for people to draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions regarding which medicines they use to care for themselves. READ:Did the DEA Just Admit that Cannabis Has Legitimate Medicinal Value? The days of prohibition are now shorter than ever, and as more people are given the freedom to choose without the risk of legal consequences, the movement towards full national legalization will only gain steam. Alex Pietrowski is an artist and writer concerned with preserving good health and the basic freedom to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. He is a staff writer for WakingTimes.com and Offgrid Outpost, a provider ofstorable food and emergency kits. Alex is an avid student of Yoga and life. Like Waking Times on Facebook. Follow Waking Times on Twitter. This article (Seniors Now the Fastest Growing Demographic of Cannabis Users) was originally created and published by Waking Times and is published here under a Creative Commonslicense with attribution toVic Bishopand WakingTimes.com. It may be re-posted freely with proper attribution, author bio, and this copyright statement. Please contact WakingTimes@gmail.com for more info. Wait. Us ex-hippies from the 60s and 70s who have been smoking or around cannabis all our lives are the group most opposed to reform? I dont think so. it wont be long before Washington and Colorados profit from recreational sales are too obvious for other states not to follow. I (relatively) sure, Colorado made over a billion in taxes last year. Kanada is opening a chain of retirement homes under the rubric of Reefer Pines where daily fare will include the hemp in many forms both therapeutic and recreational it stands to revolutionise the industry providing a better way for rich hippies to live out lives. Those Seniors just happen to be the 1960s Generation so no surprise to me. Fastest growing demographic or more willing to admit to use as the stigma is lifting? 