Local & Community
PALM DESERT — April 20th is better known as 4/20, the unofficial holiday for cannabis enthusiasts. While dispensaries across the Coachella Valley are seeing record-breaking sales this week, a surprising trend is taking center stage: a massive influx of senior citizens entering the market.
At “The Leaf on El Paseo” in Palm Desert, the usual holiday crowd was joined by a significant demographic of older Americans. Manager Bill reported that nearly 60 percent of their current customers are age 65 and older. “Some people are dealing with pain, some have sleep issues, and some just want to enhance their day a little bit,” Bill said.
BEYOND THE HIGH: SLEEP AND PAIN RELIEF
For many seniors, the trip to the dispensary is less about the celebration and more about quality of life. Customers stocked up on a wide range of products including pain creams, gummies, and cannabis pre-rolls.
NBC Palm Springs reporter Kai Beach spoke with local residents who are specifically seeking out cannabinoids like CBN, CBD, and THC to manage chronic conditions. One customer noted that the products help them “sleep and feel painless,” while others highlighted the specific “citrus and pine” terpene profiles of Humboldt County flowers.
A GROWING NATIONAL TREND
The local surge mirrors a shifting national landscape. According to researchers at NYU and AARP, cannabis use among older adults has reached a new high. Data from 2023 and 2024 shows that approximately 7 percent of adults over 65 now report using marijuana monthly—a number that has nearly doubled in recent years.
Experts attribute this trend to:
* INCREASED SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE: As legalization spreads, the stigma surrounding cannabis use has significantly diminished.
* PERCEIVED SAFETY: Many seniors view cannabis as a “less risky” alternative to heavy painkillers or benzodiazepines.
* SOCIOECONOMIC SHIFTS: Sharp increases in use have been noted particularly among college-educated and higher-income seniors.
HEALTH RISKS AND THE FUTURE
While the “Silver Surge” continues to grow, some health professionals warn that cannabis is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Geriatricians note that physiological changes in aging can make seniors more sensitive to psychoactive effects, and there is a high potential for interaction with common heart and blood pressure medications.
Despite these warnings, local seniors say they have found a better option than the traditional medicine cabinet. For many in the Coachella Valley, the benefits of feeling “relaxed and painless” mean they plan to keep using marijuana well beyond the 4/20 holiday.
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By: NBC Palm Springs
April 21, 2026
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