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Colorado Medical Marijuana Statistics
Since voters in Colorado made medical marijuana legal in November, 2000, many medical marijuana patients have joined the state's registry. Medical marijuana patients come from all over Colorado and use medical marijuana for a variety of conditions. These Colorado medical marijuana statistics paint a picture of the average medical marijuana patient, as well as the success of Colorado's medical marijuana law (Amendment 20).
How Many People Use Medical Marijuana in Colorado?
5,920 patients currently hold medical marijuana registry cards in Colorado. 56% of medical marijuana patients renew their medical marijuana licenses after they expire. Since the registry opened for business in June 2001, 7,385 patient applications were received, and only thiry-five applications were denied. 1,255 cards have expired without being renewed, while 157 patients have died. 18 medical marijuana registry cards have been revoked since 2001.
Who Uses Medical Marijuana in Colorado?
Most Colorado medical marijuana patients are male (71%). The median age for male medical marijuana patients is 32. The 29% of patients who are female have a median age of 33. The overall median age is 32. Only three Colorado medical marijuana patients are under the age of eighteen.
Medical marijuana patients live all over Colorado, with 95% of counties containing residents who are registered to use medical marijuana. Forty-nine percent (49%) of Colorado medical marijuana patients live in the Denver and Boulder metro areas. The remainder of Colorado's registered medical marijuana users are spread out across the state, from Bent County (three patients) to Adams County (403 patients) to Larimer County (628 patients). Counties with no currently registered medical marijuana users are: Cheyenne, Conejos, Costilla, Jackson, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Prowers, San Juan, and Washington.
Colorado's medical marijuana patients have a variety of chronic, debilitating conditions permitting them to use medical marijuana legally. Most patients report severe pain-- 88%, or 5,182 patients. 23% of Colorado medical marijuana patients suffer from muscle spasms, while 22% report nausea as a symptom. 4% of patients have seizures, and a further 4% have cancer. 2% have cachexia and 2% suffer from HIV/AIDS, while only 1% of Colorado medical marijuana patients have glaucoma.
Of Colorado's registered medical marijuana users, 53% have designated a primary caregiver legally permitted to grow, possess, and dispense medical marijuana on the patient's behalf.
Four petitions have been received since 2001 to add conditions to the list of qualifying conditions for which patients may legally use medical marijuana. The petitions received were regarding Parkinson's Disease, Asthma, Anxiety, and Bi-Polar Disorder. All these applications were denied on the basis of insufficient scientific evidence that treatment with medical marijuana would alleviate these conditions, although many advocates disagree with the decision. Further petitions will continue to be accepted by the Department of Health as new research is published.
Disclaimer:This text is for informative purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice from a physician. Always consult your doctor before making any decision on the treatment of a medical condition.
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