More seniors are using cannabis than ever before despite health risks, research shows

While polls have shown that most older Americans use cannabis to improve sleep, reduce pain, alleviate mental health issues and to relax, Krantz shared some potential dangers of the habit.

Those include increased risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attack, stroke, increased hypertension and tachycardia, as well as worsening of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Cannabis may also lead to interactions with other medications, which can increase their toxicity or decrease their effectiveness, Krantz cautioned.

Other potential risks include balance issues, delayed reaction times, increased confusion or cognitive impairment, and heightened anxiety, depression or anger.

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There could also be surgery-related risks, including complications due to anesthesia and delays in healing, the expert noted.

“Seniors should talk to their healthcare provider and their pharmacist before using any marijuana or cannabis product, because there are very real and specific dangers for older adults when using these substances,” Krantz advised.

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel commented on these findings during an appearance on “America’s Newsroom” on Tuesday, noting that regular use of cannabis can be dangerous if not tracked.

“You might use a gummy to go to bed, and then the next thing, you’re using two gummies, or three gummies, and it could increase anxiety, it can increase discombobulation, you’re not thinking clearly, ER visits are on the increase,” he cautioned.

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“We know about problems with the lungs,” Siegel added. “It can accelerate dementia and can affect behavior.”

The doctor likened the use of marijuana to the effects of smoking cigarettes in terms of damage to the heart and lungs.

“It is absolutely an active chemical we need to watch out for, and I’m very disturbed that the elderly are using it,” he said.

“We’ve completely jumped the gun [on legalization] because people are going to the ER with psychosis. They’re going there with vomiting disorders. They’re having car accidents as a result,” he went on.

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“We are studying Colorado ever since it was legalized there, and the results are not pretty. We definitely jumped the gun by not anticipating all the medical risks here.”

Fox News Digital reached out to UC San Diego Medicine researchers for comment.

Fox News Digital’s Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.