A rapid weight loss caused by therapeutic cannabinoid use in an elderly individual: a case report

The proportion of older adults using medical cannabis is rising. Most of the cannabinoid research has focused on a healthy, younger population free from frailty and major comorbidity. In this case report, we describe an 82-year-old woman who was autonomous in basic and instrumental activities of daily living and who came to our geriatric department for marked weight loss over the past 2 months (about 10 kg) and anemia. After appropriate clinical and endoscopic checks, it was concluded that the weight loss was induced by the initiation of therapy with oral cannabis for the control of rheumatic pain.