You are correct if you think Silver Haze has been around for a while. According to reports, the strain was developed by Green House Seeds, a Dutch breeding business also known for its Strain Hunters web series, and it gained popularity in the mid-1990s. To create the well-known sativa, Green House Seeds combined three classic strains. They crossed Northern Lights and Haze, which are the genetics behind Silver Haze, with a Skunk variety to produce a somewhat more potent version of the original.

At the same time, when you visit your granny, don’t be shocked if you notice smoke coming from her retirement community; she may just be hot boxing in the bingo hall with her buddies.

According to The New York Times, this is due to an increase in the use of marijuana by older persons in recent years, which some researchers attribute to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a National Survey on Drug Use and Health research published last year, marijuana usage among seniors 65 and over increased by 75% between 2015 and 2018. The percentage of elderly people consuming the medicine increased from 2.4 percent to 4.2 percent over that time. 2019 saw a scorching 5 percent.

Several scientists think that number has only increased since then. Since more states have legalized marijuana, it is now easier to obtain than before.

Dr. Benjamin H. Han, the study’s primary author, told the New York Times, “I would expect it to continue to climb dramatically.”

The drug’s ability to relieve both pain and anxiety attracts a lot of elderly people. Harry B. Lebowitz, 69, claims that using marijuana enabled him to stop taking many prescription medications for his anxiety, sleep apnea, and back pain. His marijuana use only increased after the global epidemic occurred.

Lebowitz told the Times, “It seemed like the world stopped. “We’re all dealing with PTSD in some capacity, all of us.”

Although data on how the pandemic directly affected drug use in the elderly have not yet been made public, there are some indications that it may have contributed to the spike in marijuana use. According to the NYT, the National Cannabis Industry Association estimates that legal marijuana sales increased by 20% in 2020. According to a Kaiser Family Foundation study, the pandemic increased the number of older persons experiencing anxiety and depression, two conditions that can be alleviated with cannabis.

According to Eloise Theisen, president of the American Cannabis Nurses Association and nurse practitioner, “I’ve definitely seen my patients who were stable coming for tune-ups.” “Their fear increased. Their slumber was more severe.”

But, some doctors are worried about the surge in marijuana use among seniors. After all, there is a dearth of information regarding the effects of cannabis use in older adults. The entire effect it may have on their general health is unknown to doctors.

According to Dr. Donna M. Fick, a researcher at the Center of Geriatric Nursing Excellence at Penn State, “Older folks need to know that the data is quite uncertain about the safety of these medications,” she told the New York Times. It’s uncertain whether they genuinely assist.

There is no doubt that marijuana has assisted many in their efforts to deal with anxiety, despair, and PTSD brought on by the global pandemic and has still been a great complement to help them with these diseases. 

So, once again, don’t get surprised if next time you find grandma & grandpa listening to some good Bob Marley songs, eating some Cheetos and Laughlin with no sense, with a big fat joint in the hand…