More and more seniors are using cannabis to improve sleep quality.

22. 12. 2025

Medical Cannabis is Most Frequently Used by Seniors as Aid in Fighting Insomnia

One Leafly user tells the following, almost stereotypical story about his father and medical cannabis:

"My father spent the last two years of his life in a qualified senior care facility. He constantly complained about unbearable night noise (screams, shrieks, and moaning of patients suffering from dementia and other conditions), which made it almost impossible for him to sleep.

My father loved cookies. I love cannabis. So one day, I decided to make hash cookies and give him some during my typical evening visit. The next day, I returned and asked dad how he slept.

'I slept excellently,' he said.

I only told him the cookies were cannabis-infused the following day. My father, an old Mexican native who sold opium to elders in the village when he was young, was very well aware of cannabis's healing abilities and the long-standing propaganda surrounding this versatile herb.

Eventually, fearing someone would find the cannabis, he told me not to bring hash cookies anymore. He returned to his sleepless nights."

Alternative Insomnia Treatment for Seniors

Insomnia is often extremely difficult to endure for many older people, especially manifesting in those suffering from anxiety, chronic pain, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression or restless leg syndrome. However, according to many doctors and caregivers working with seniors, medical cannabis is a very effective therapy.

This week, Leafly also focused on the topic of insomnia in seniors and medical cannabis, looking at the issue through the eyes of three people from San Francisco. Specifically, through the perspectives of a legal cannabis dispensary owner, a caregiver, and a doctor.

Seniors Rarely Sleep Through the Entire Night

Sue Taylor, a former Catholic school principal, currently an expert on senior citizens and cannabis issues, is state-licensed in California to professionally train caregivers and doctors about using cannabis as medicine. Taylor is currently working on opening a specialized medical cannabis dispensary focused on older citizens.

In a recent interview, Taylor points out that the vast majority of her lecture participants use cannabis as a remedy for insomnia.

"It's truly rare to meet a senior who tells you they peacefully sleep through the entire night," Taylor explains. "Insomnia among seniors is a very important issue. Many of them reach for alcohol to calm down. It's time to show everyone that there are much healthier alternatives to achieve desired sleep quality."

"Currently, I personally use and recommend a tincture containing high concentration of CBD, a non-psychoactive cannabinoid, and a small amount of THC, the main psychoactive cannabinoid in medical cannabis. Specifically, a 30:1 CBD:THC ratio"

"Generally, I don't want any foreign, unknown substances in my body," Taylor further explains her approach. "I don't take chemical pills for anything. My doctor recommended Benadryl for sleep. This pharmaceutically-based treatment approach, all those opiates and other pills, must start changing. Medical cannabis will be a great help in this case."

Taylor sees herself as a cannabis ambassador with a mission to enlighten older people who often fear deviating from current law and societal rules, and who are simultaneously overwhelmed by enormous amounts of pharmaceuticals.

"Life doesn't have to be a bitch where instead of enjoying it, you die after fifty. Aging can be healthy, productive, and happy. However, this is difficult when you have 15 different pills in you daily. Medical cannabis could help a much larger number of older people lead a more orderly and vital life in the future."

Cannabis as Treatment

71-year-old Barbara Blaser is a registered caregiver and customer consultant at Magnolia Wellness, an Oakland medical cannabis dispensary.

Barbara usually starts with a medical mix she's well-tested herself, which helps her with anxiety-based insomnia - a 5mg cannabis tincture with an 18:1 CBD:THC ratio and 5mg cannabis edibles. The tincture usually takes effect within a few minutes. Edibles start working around an hour and a half later, precisely when the tincture's effect subsides and when Barbara typically falls asleep peacefully.

Barbara further admits that the topic of insomnia affects more than 40% of seniors who buy medical cannabis from her.

"It took a long time before I started approaching cannabis differently. I grew up with Nancy Reagan and her 'Just Say No'," Barbara explains her relationship with cannabis.

"Once I stopped taking cannabis for about three days and my husband looked at me with pleading eyes asking, 'Could you please prescribe that cannabis again?'," Barbara laughs. "I was very restless."

Half of Her Patients Suffer from Insomnia

Another beneficial perspective comes from Vanessa Niles, a 61-year-old doctor who discovered cannabis's healing properties while treating a patient specifically requesting cannabis for breast cancer treatment.

"I was living in Georgia at the time, and obtaining cannabis was truly a challenge," Niles explains. "That's also one of the main reasons why I'm here" in California.

Currently, Niles works at an evaluation clinic for patients treating themselves with cannabis.

"We see about 40 patients daily, and roughly half of them always complain about sleep problems," Niles describes the situation. "Regardless of the original cause, whether depression, anxiety, PTSD, or cancer, the final result is always the same - insomnia."

Niles usually recommends sedating Indian strains or cannabis edibles to patients.

"Personally, I use a tincture that combines CBD and THC cannabinoids in a 1:1 ratio," Niles admits, who treats herself with cannabis. "Sometimes I supplement the tincture with an edible of about 20 to 50mg."

"I hope doctors in the United States will soon realize the potential of medical cannabis and join forces with progressive research happening in places like Israel, Canada, or the United Kingdom."

Cannabis for Sleep Treatment

The effectiveness of medical cannabis against insomnia is truly undeniable and helps with sleep safely for both young and older individuals. As we described in our previous article "Insomnia", medical cannabis can help fall asleep faster, extend and improve sleep, lengthen deep sleep duration, and surprisingly even improve breathing during sleep.

All strains mentioned in the article can be found in our offering on the e-shop.