Arizona Medical Cannabis Sales Tripled in 2014

ispensaries in Arizona reported a total of
$112 million in medical cannabis sales for 2014— three times the total from the
year before—  according to data just
released by the Arizona Department of Health. Additionally, the national market
grew
by 74 percent from 2013 to 2014.

Overall sales analysis in Arizona reveal that
9.1
metric tons of cannabis were sold in 1.4 million individual transactions to
the over 63,000 active medicinal cannabis card holders in state.

The number of registered patients also
increased over 40% from 2013 to 2014.
One of the more interesting advances last year in particular that may
have added to the uptick is the addition of post traumatic stress disorder
(PTSD) to the list of qualifying conditions for patients in the state medical
program.  This is also one of the growth
areas for medical cannabis, particularly among the veteran population.  This positive move only came after a state
judge ordered the state to do so. 

The average medical cannabis consumer in
Arizona made 17 purchases last year and spent on average, $350 an ounce.  Most users in the state are men— making up 72%—
and individuals between 18 and 30 years of age.

Despite the many historical setbacks, the
state’s “not so little cannabis engine that could,” followed green trends all
over the country last year, and just got even bigger.