Retirees Represent Major Pot Market

As marijuana legalization spreads across the US, the public perception of a marijuana user is slowly changing from a young, unambitious kid to an elderly person with a cup of tea. That's right, marijuana use is

among retirees who say the drug helps them deal with some of the ailments associated with growing older.

Retirees have long flocked to states with sunshine and great healthcare in order to live out their golden years, but marijuana legalization is becoming a top priority for many seniors who use the drug to cope with things like chronic pain or insomnia. Oregon has seen an influx of new residents over the past year as its relaxed marijuana laws drew in people who want to get high without worrying about legal consequences. Many dispensaries say at least 50 percent of their clientele is made up of elderly people suffering from varying illnesses and looking for relief.

The aging population of baby boomers has also contributed to increased marijuana use among seniors. As that generation lived through the 60's and 70's when drug use was common among teenagers, the decision to use marijuana as a retiree is often more comfortable.

The growing popularity of medical marijuana among retirees has created a powerful voice in the campaign to legalize marijuana in the US. Groups like

paint marijuana use as a safe, effective way for the elderly to manage their pain in lieu of traditional medicine. Many believe that as more and more retirees adopt medical marijuana, states like Florida with large elderly populations will be pushed to legalize the drug.