Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) statistics show more than 50,000 medical marijuana cards have been issued in Arizona since April 2011.
As of June 30, 2014, the number of active medical marijuana cardholders has seen a 9% increase since March 2014. A spokesperson for the Department of Health Services said the number of medical marijuana cardholders has steadily increased over the the past three years, and is expected to keep increasing.
The increasing demand for medical marijuana cards in Arizona is due to more dispensaries opening and scientific studies publishing new pro-marijuana findings; such as marijuana’s many health benefits (from THC and CBD) and lack of side effects, especially when compared to prescription drugs.
More operating dispensaries means that medical marijuana patients will have ease of access to marijuana and many more options for medicating (e.g. marijuana strains, oils, tinctures, edibles, etc).