This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on November 13, 2013.
The numbers do not lie. According to data released by the American Cancer Society (cancer.org) you are less likely to die from cancer if you live in a state that allows for the medical or recreational use of marijuana. Let’s compare the national average for death rates from cancer, compared to states with longer established marijuana laws and their death rates from cancer.
[column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]State[/col][column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]# of deaths (Men)*[/col][column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]# of deaths (Women)*[/col]
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[column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]National Average*[/col][column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]223[/col][column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]153.2[/col]
[column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]Arizona*[/column]
[column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]186.7[/column]
[column type=”one-third” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px”]132.4[/column]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]California*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]197.4[/col][col grid=”3-1″]143.4[/col]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]Colorado*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]187.3[/col][col grid=”3-1″]135.7[/col]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]Hawaii*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]186.2[/col][col grid=”3-1″]120.7[/col]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]New Mexico*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]193[/col][col grid=”3-1″]136.8[/col]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]Oregon*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]217.7[/col][col grid=”3-1″]158.7[/col]
[col grid=”3-1 first”]Washington*[/col][col grid=”3-1″]211.9[/col][col grid=”3-1″]155.7[/col]
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*Per 100,000 citizens, age adjusted to the 2000 US standard population.
Source: US Mortality Data, National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Cancer Society, Surveillance Research, 2012
*Women are less likely than men, in all states, to apply for a medical marijuana license.