This article was originally published on the Marijuana Patients Organization site on October 10, 2013.
Very little is publicly known about the demographics of the patients of medical marijuana. The State of Michigan is required by the Act to report to the legislature on a yearly basis and provide a minimum profile of the demographics surrounding medical marijuana. Data reported in other states is much more updated and insightful when compared to the reporting of Michigan patients.
Recently released data shows that:
- 402,688 original and renewal applications received since April 6, 2009.
- 144,450 estimated patients as of 10/1/2013 (128,441 active registered qualified patients as of May 2013).
- 1,928 doctors prescribed medical marijuana in 2012.
- 4,122,000 prescriptions for hydrocodone combined with acetaminophen were written in Michigan in 2012.
- The MMDA, an association of Michigan dispensary and caregiving operations determined the average age of a Michigan patient to be 46.2 years old.
- Men are more likely to be a patient compared to women in every state where medical marijuana laws exist.
- In 2012, the state of Michigan made over $9,800,000 in fees associated with medical marijuana.
What we also know is when comparing Michigan’s user rate to the rates of longer established medical marijuana states like Colorado, medical marijuana has not penetrated Michigan’s populace to the same degree.
| State | # of patients: | Total population: | Rate | Law enacted |
| Colorado | 109,662 | 5,188,000 | 2.12% | 2001 |
| Michigan | 144,450 | 9,833,000 | 1.46% | 2009 |
| Arizona | 47,328 | 6,553,255 | 0.7% | 2011 |
One reason might be cultural, that is, the people in Michigan may be different than those in California or Colorado. Or, another reason for the higher rate of patients in Colorado may be that the longevity of the law translates into broader social acceptance of medical marijuana as a tool that provides medical benefits.
Dr. Breen, a noted California doctor, said, “This demographic of patient is not what most people think of when they think about medical marijuana. … I have seen an explosion in the number of elderly patients using it to improve the quality of their life.”
Dr. Breen listed the benefits for the elderly as:
- Decreased pain
- Increased appetite
- Improved sleep.
- Improved mood. New outlook on life.
- Reduced dependence on other medications
- Gained the feeling of taking control over their health
- Increased their activity level. More golf, tennis, recreational activities