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MORE old folk than ever needed hospital treatment after smoking cannabis last year — including nine in their 90s.

The total of 2,707 is 650 per cent higher than ten years ago and 56 per cent up since the start of the Covid pandemic.

The “silver smokers” also included 1,100 in their 70s and 110 in their 80s with conditions including hallucinations, withdrawal symptoms and poisoning.

Figures obtained by The Sun show 22 babies and kids under four were admitted for cannabis poisoning.

It is believed they consumed it accidentally or were in the room when parents smoked.

In all, 57,000 people were admitted for adverse reactions or overdoses.

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Drug experts reckon the rise is partially down to older people trying to self-medicate.

The National Drug Prevention Alliance, said: “Many people who were teenagers in the 60s never gave up, or went back to it later in life.”

The UK Addiction Treatment Centres group said: “Cannabis is unfortunately not seen as a dangerous drug, but it absolutely can be.”

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More old folk than ever needed hospital treatment after smoking cannabis last year — including nine in their 90s
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More old folk than ever needed hospital treatment after smoking cannabis last year — including nine in their 90sCredit: Getty
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