Illustration by Daniel Bejar
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Older Americans’ Attitudes on Medical Marijuana
March & April 2005
Our survey of adults 45+ produced some noteworthy findings
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Last November, AARP The Magazine commissioned a telephone
poll among a nationally representative sample of 1,706 adults
aged 45 and older, asking them to respond to a series of
statements on the subject of medical marijuana. What follows are
some highlights of the survey, along with a brief summary of
noteworthy findings for each:
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I think that adults should be allowed to legally use
marijuana for medical purposes if a physician recommends
it.
Support for legal medical marijuana was strongest in the
West (82%) and Northeast (79%), and lowest in the Southwest
(65%). Interestingly, there were no significant response
differences among those of different age categories.
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If a loved one was ill or suffering and marijuana eased
their pain or condition, I would obtain marijuana for him
or her.
Younger respondents (63% of those 45-49) were more likely
to agree with this statement, as were those who have smoked
marijuana (74%).
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Do you believe marijuana is addictive?
While the majority of respondents support medical uses of
marijuana, the majority also believe that marijuana is
addictive. Women and older respondents (age 60 and older)
were more likely to think marijuana is addictive than men
and younger (under age 60) respondents.
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I believe all marijuana use should be
legalized.
Younger respondents (34% of those 45-49) were more likely
to agree with this statement, as were those who have smoked
marijuana (44%). Older respondents (15% of those age 70 and
older) were the least likely to agree. Responses across
geographical regions did not differ significantly.
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Have you ever smoked marijuana?
Younger respondents (58% of those 45-49) were more likely
to have smoked marijuana, with those 50-59 (37%) and 60-69
(15%) registering significant drop-offs in use.
Considerably more men (39%) than women (21%) report having
inhaled, and respondents in the West (32%) were more likely
to have smoked marijuana than respondents in other regions.
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Survey conducted by ICR/International Communications Research.
Margin of error is +/- 2.37%
Now, read the
full survey results in the AARP.org Research Center.
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