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Agitation in Alzheimer''s Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Cannabis in the United States: A Brief Report on Current Trends.

Bonar, Tan, Patyk, Lei, Maust. Agitation in Alzheimer''s Disease as a Qualifying Condition for Medical Cannabis in the United States: A Brief Report on Current Trends. The American journal of geriatric psychiatry : official journal of the American Association for Geriatric Psychiatry. 2025 Jun 11 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2025.06.003.

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Abstract:

OBJECTIVES: We assessed state-level access to medical cannabis with Alzheimer''s Disease and related agitation (AD) as a qualifying condition. METHODS: In 2024-2025, we examined regulatory agencies'' publicly available online reports regarding medical cannabis, including use specifically for AD. RESULTS: Of 38 states that allow medical cannabis, 19 (50%) allow medical cannabis for AD. AD accounts for < 1% of medical cannabis certifications. Some data suggest that AD as a qualifying condition is declining in states that have legalized recreational cannabis use. CONCLUSIONS: Despite limited evidence of efficacy supporting medical cannabis for AD, this remains a qualifying condition in 19 states, though it is invoked for a small minority of the population. With increasing medical and recreational cannabis access, there is a need for geriatric clinicians to assess and monitor cannabis use among the growing population of patients with AD across states with varied policies, particularly given decreases in medical program involvement.




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