A New Senior Migration?

Money magazine ran an article recently about a new pattern in elder migration post-retirement. Seniors Are Seeking Out States Where Marijuana is Legal explains that “there is anecdotal evidence that people with health conditions which medical marijuana could help treat, are relocating to states with legalized marijuana,” quoting a UCLA professor of public policy. Using data from a moving company,

The Mountain West – including Colorado, which legalized medical marijuana in 2000, and recreational use in 2012 – boasted the highest percentage of people moving there to retire …. One-third of movers to the region said they were going there specifically to retire.

The article notes that marijuana is good for what typically ails elders, such as “[c]hronic pain, inflammation, insomnia, loss of appetite: All of those things are widespread among seniors” according to the deputy director of the National Cannabis Industry Association. The sales data show that a large portion of purchases is made by elder customers.

Thanks to my colleague and friend, Professor Mark Bauer, for telling me about this story.