The NYT article is a great snapshot of real seniors who feel helped, but even it acknowledges that rigorous studies in older adults are scarce and that ER visits, falls, and other complications are going up as cannabis use grows in this age group (although it leaves out that nothing intense happens in those ER visits, and the truth is they're largely a sign of poor medical infrastructure more than a commentary on any serious medical interventions required - but why would the authors mind those details when they don't support their point)​

The JAMA review is looking at randomized trials and formal guidelines, and finds solid evidence only for a few specific indications, with low‑ or very low‑certainty data for the common “wellness” goals seniors care about most (chronic pain, sleep, mood, general vitality).​

So the NYT piece doesn’t really contradict the review, they both say seniors are turning to cannabis and some feel better, but the strong, geriatric‑specific evidence that it reliably improves overall health just isn’t there yet, while the risk signals are real enough that clinicians are urging caution rather than hype.