Ezra Parzybok is a medical marijuana consultant and educator, and cannabis business consultant, with an established practice in Northampton. Reminder Publishing worked with Parzybok on a two-part article for its weekly newspapers on the use of cannabis and CBD oil shortly after marijuana was legalized in Massachusetts in 2018.
As evidence of the growing use of cannabis and cannabis-based products among the state’s older demographic has begun to grow, Prime reached out to Parzybok for his expertise on this topic for elders. Here’s what he shared with us:
Q: What does the data say about adult cannabis use since legalization in Massachusetts and other states?
“Though I’m not seeing it personally in my consultation business yet, when you look at data companies, they are discovering that the fastest growing market for cannabinoid products is people over the age of 40. I would be very curious to learn how much of that is actually people over the age of 50, and older.
The experience of this demographic is supported by the data. It is a no-brainer, they are getting better sleep, they are getting pain relief. Something like cannabinoid use is a safe bet once they get over the idea that they might get high and be out of control (when using cannabis products).
Q: What is the biggest factor leading to this recent increase in elder use of cannabis products?
“A lot of doctors in progressive communities are saying, ‘ok, I’ve given you a prescription (for your complaint), but what I’ve given you has dangerous side effects, or unwanted side effects; but there are also cannabinoid-based gummies.
“I think people hear from their doctors that they can sleep better and get pain relief using cannabis products, and decide to give it a try. They are going to a dispensary - a little nervously - and are coming away with gummies, which is an edible (form and) a little easier for them to wrap their head around. We are all familiar with gummies, and their doctor said is safe, and what they are finding is that it works. If you are just trying to get sleep, or reduce your pain medications, a light dose is all you need.
“They are finding that that initial fear that getting high is something that is extreme – that it will feel extreme, doesn’t prove to be true. When you sit down with dinner and have a glass of wine you are not worried that you are going to black out (and) if one glass is enough you stop. It’s the same with gummies. You take one gummy or a half of a gummy.
“You will hear people say, ‘Oh I take the gummies but I don’t get high.’ What people mean by that is they don’t get incapacitated - they get high but it is comfortable.”
Q: For those that are still uncomfortable trying cannabinoid products, can CBD oil be an alternative?
“If you are in the senior demographic, I suggest your first experience with cannabis should be with CBD oil anyway; that’s the most conservative approach. They can come to (consultants) like me, or they can go to a dispensary that also sells CBD or a reputable store for advice or information. I really encourage them to ask their physician - if their physician doesn’t know about CBD oil - which is an approved treatment for epilepsy -they need to go into the literature. Doctors are used to reading research.
“It is also important that patients who are on prescription drugs consult with their physician before adding CBD oil to their treatment, because there are some drug interactions that they should know about. However, CBD oil is still non-toxic, and the doses used are low, so the fear of drug interaction is low.
“CBD oil (is) in an interesting place right now. There is a lot of great data on how effective it is for pain and for anxiety and for sleep, but it is even less controlled than marijuana (cannabis) right now. With marajuana you have to go to a specific store – like a dispensary that sells it and you learn how to use it , but CBD oil is wide open, which is unfortunate. A lot of people are avoiding CBD oil when it could be even more beneficial (for them) than the THC in cannabis products.
I suggest individuals who have the OK to try CBD oil try it for two weeks; if they are not getting the desired effects they can check out articles on CBD oil use on my website, ezrahelps.com, for frequently asked questions.
