Arizona Department of Heath Services’ Vital Health Statistics team working with the UA College of Public Health completed the Medical Marijuana Program’s 3rd Annual Report this week. The report includes data about the demographics and kinds and qualifying conditions of cardholders, geographic distribution and rates’
Background information on the budget and fund, the various lawsuits, and de-identified information about physicians that are writing certifications is also included.
During state fiscal year July 2013 to June 2014:
● There were a total of 52,374 qualifying patient and caregiver active cardholders, which included 51,783 qualifying patients and 591 caregivers. During this time period, 904 dispensary agent cards were issued.
● Of the total qualifying patients, approximately 32% (n = 16,314) were female qualifying patients, and of the total caregivers, 33% (n = 195) were female caregivers.
● Approximately 4% (n = 1,960) of the qualifying patients and slightly over 62% (n = 366) of caregivers were authorized to cultivate.
● Qualifying patients per 1,000 residents were highest in Yavapai County (14.9), followed by Gila County (14.8) and Coconino (12.5). Yuma (3.3), Santa Cruz (4.1), and Pinal (5.5) Counties had the lowest qualifying patients per 1,000 residents.
● The number of qualifying patients who are minor (i.e., <18 years) increased by 148% from 37 qualifying patients in 2013 state fiscal year (i.e., July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013) to 92 qualifying patients in the current reporting period (i.e., July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014). ● The majority of the qualifying patients (n = 41,284; ~80%) had one debilitating medical condition. The remaining 20% reported two or more conditions. ● Approximately 71% of the qualifying patients (n = 36,577) indicated “severe and chronic pain” as their only debilitating medical condition. ● Six hundred fifteen physicians provided certifications to 51,783 patients during this time period. Twenty-five physicians certified approximately 60% of the patients. ● Forty-five Approval to Operate certificates were issued to medical marijuana dispensaries, and of those approved, 38 dispensaries became operational. ● Additionally, 34 cultivation sites were approved. Thirty-seven dispensaries applied for and obtained ADHS authorization to sell or dispense medical marijuana-infused edible food products, and 11 dispensaries applied for and obtained authorization to prepare medical marijuana-infused edible food products and supply edibles to dispensaries.