Like wine with dinner or a beer in the backyard, marijuana is becoming very common.
With almost 60% of adults drinking alcohol, it has been a staple of family events. Relatives including grandparents, cousins, adult grandkids and more have sat at a table and toasted with beer, wine or booze….and now cannabis may be in the mix. As legalization has grown, cannabis is being embraced by more people and is popping at all sorts of family gatherings. And, it seems, marijuana can bond grandparents to family.
In a third party survey sponsored by Sanctuary Wellness, some interesting data has given hope about intergenerational bonding. There are all sorts of concerns about boomers and Gen Z not relating, but marijuana like music is showing a positive trend. Nearly one in three have tried cannabis, far less than alcohol, but still a significant number. In the survey, Millennials use the most followed closely by Gen X then Gen Z and finally Baby Boomers. And while a whopping 86% of Gen Z and Millennials support the legaization of weed…a full 71% of Baby Boomers do also.
Gen Z is slowly turning away from alcohol and feel they have way more stress than their grandparents. Due to the embrace from the medical community, Boomers are starting to see cannabis as aid in dealing with chronic pain and sleep issues. The plant can be very effective without as many harsh side effects.
Once interesting factor in the survey is the use of gummies. Microdosing has become huge and Gen Z sees it as a way to manage anxiety. With gummies, you see 76% use of Baby Boomers and 72% with Gen Z….far higher than Millennials and Gen X.
For many Europeans, alcohol is a part of their culture and viewed as a social activity. In Italy for example, children are eased into drinking with a bit of wine at dinner. They’re taught from an early age that alcohol is something to drink casually and in moderation. Alcohol abuse is less coming in Italy and France due to the generation training. Maybe marijuana, which has clear medical benefits, could be another thing which generations share to make for a better life.
As people ages, the body develops more issues…marijuana can help pause or manage some of the problems.
Marijuana is helping this over 65 to continue living their best life. Cannabis has become an increasingly popular treatment option for older adults who often suffer from chronic health conditions. These conditions include chronic pain, sleep disorders, anxiety, and various neurological symptoms. In fact, the staid AARP has began helping their membership unlock the benefits of marijuana to improve day to day existence. This move is allowing boomers to travel, play and have fun with friends and family.
From chronic pain to troubles sleeping, consumed in the right doses, marijana can be beneficial. One of the areas it can help is in intimacy. The benefits of the green plant can help some seniors with sex by reducing pain and distraction. Cannabis-infused topicals can help with pain from arthritis, stiffness, or injuries. It can help people get out of their heads and be more present with their partners, giving more focus and in the moment allowing things to flow better. And like food and music, marijuana can increase sensitivity to touch and enhance sensory perception. While it isn’t approved for erectile dysfunction, it can remove other barriers.
Medical marijuana is effective in managing chronic pain, which is common among older adults. Studies have shown that a significant percentage of participants experience pain relief when using medical marijuana. It can help manage symptoms associated with neurological conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and neuropathy.
Many older adults use cannabis to alleviate sleep disturbances. Research indicates that a substantial number of users report improved sleep quality. It can also be used to treat anxiety and depression, providing relief for mental health concerns that are prevalent in this age group.
One of the significant benefits observed is the reduction in opioid use among older adults. Studies have shown that many participants decrease their reliance on opioid pain medications after starting medical marijuana treatment.
Gen Z tends to use cannabis to relief anxiety and feel happier. The plant releases dopamine, which is one of the sources of happiness. Dosing is a key factor to hitting the right spot.
Despite the promising results, there is still a lack of comprehensive research on the efficacy and safety of medical marijuana in older adults. More randomized, controlled studies are needed to fully understand its benefits and risks. Additionally, concerns about cardiovascular risks associated with marijuana use highlight the need for cautious use and monitoring in older adults.
Cannabis is legal to more than 50% of the population and more people are consuming. As additional states consider legalizing, what about the famous smell? Governor Ron DeSantis has made it a point talking about how cities will stink if weed is legal. Well, marijuana does have some stink, but most smoke outside or in their own home. And Florida is a state of cars and indoor spaces. Smoking cannabis, like tobacco, will be not be allowed indoors except in homes. But occasionally, you are in someone else’s space and, well, things happen. What to do? Can an air purifier get rid of the marijuana smell?
Additionally, lots of people are traveling and being in mew spaces, especially in legal states. Friends, guests, clients all have different habits. In fact, Gen Z and millennials took, on average, nearly five trips in 2023. Gen Xers and Boomers to four. Millennials and Gen Zers also say they devote, on average, 29 percent of their incomes to travel, compared with 26 percent for Gen Zers and 25 percent for baby boomers. So this a variety of AirBnBs, friend’s couches, and more. Air purifiers can be highly effective at eliminating cannabis odors from indoor spaces. The key to success lies in choosing the right type of air purifier withappropriate filtration technology.
Photo by Flickr user boviate
The most effective air purifiers for cannabis odor utilize a combination of HEPA filtration and activated carbon filters. Here’s how they work.
HEPA Filtration: High-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters remove tiny particles from the air, including smoke particles that carry odor molecules. This helps reduce the overall concentration of cannabis smoke in the air.
Activated Carbon: The real workhorse for odor elimination is activated carbon. These filters are highly porous and adsorb odor-causing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and gases, effectively trapping the molecules responsible for cannabis smell.
When selecting an air purifier for cannabis odor, here is what to consider. Look for units with large activated carbon filters, ideally containing several pounds of carbon for maximum odor absorption. Choose a purifier powerful enough to cycle the air in your space multiple times per hour for best results. And ensure the purifier is rated for the size of the room where it will be used.
While air purifiers are effective, combining them with other strategies can enhance odor elimination. Designate a specific smoking area to contain odors. Smoke near an open window when possible. Use lower-odor cannabis strains. And lastly clean surfaces regularly to prevent odor buildup.
By using a high-quality air purifier with both HEPA and activated carbon filtration, along with these additional measures,
The Court in Illinois, a legal state, makes a key ruling about cannabis
With over 50% of the population in the US and 100% in Canada having access to legal cannabis, there has been some changes. All age groups are embracing it, including Boomers who are using it in bigger numbers for its medical benefits. Beer sales are down as people are embracing vapes and gummies over calorie filled and hangover inducing beer. And the are figuring out how to keep people from driving under the influence. Now, a state court makes key ruling about marijuana which differentiates it again from alcohol.
Law enforcement has treated cannabis like alcohol regarding driving under the influence. The smell of either gives probable cause, but now, for marijuana it is under doubt. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) is very slow walking a decision about rescheduling cannabis. Part of the reason for the DEA is to combat marijuana and rescheduling would change a focus. Several sources say the agency is not keen on the change and hopes by delaying action until after the election, they may be given a pass. But this court ruling adds more pressure.
The ruling stemmed from a 2020 case in which Ryan Redmond was pulled over by Illinois State Police on Interstate 80 in Henry County. According to court records, Redmond’s license place was not properly secured to the vehicle and he was driving 3 miles over the speed limit.
The trooper allegedly smelled marijuana coming from inside the car, and subsequently found a small amount of cannabis inside. Redmond was charged with a misdemeanor for transport of cannabis.
Redmond exhibited no signs of impairment, leading Neville to opine that the trooper’s “reasonable suspicion” would not have advanced to a “probable cause search.”
The court ruled the smell of cannabis doesn’t provide probably cause, unlike the smell of alcohol on the breath.
This court’s ruling could have an impact on federal law. Currently, there isn’t a fully reliable way to test people with data, like an alcohol breath analyzer. The next step in how the state adjusts will likely by copied by other states to avoid lawsuits. This will have an impact on federal policy…and maybe nudge the DEA.