MEDICAL MARIJUANA SPECIAL REPORT: Quick facts
The numbers
19,691: Number of marijuana applications since 2001
15,654: Number of those applications for treatment of “severe pain”
1,540: Number of marijuana patients in El Paso County
800: Number of physicians who have signed applications
89: Percentage of male applicants under age 30 seeking marijuana to treat severe pain, July 2008 to June 2009
73: Percentage of patients that are men
40: Average age of patients
Source: Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
Little help from state
Want to open a medical marijuana dispensary? Don’t look to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, which administers the Medical Marijuana Registry, for help. Here’s what the department says on its Web site:
The Colorado Medical Marijuana amendment, statutes and regulations are silent on the issue of dispensaries. While the Registry is aware that a number of such businesses have been established across the state, we do not have a formal relationship with them.
Please be aware:
• The Registry does not license dispensaries.
• The Registry does not have a list of dispensaries.
• There are no regulations regarding dispensaries.
• The Registry is unable to assist with complaints regarding dispensaries.
• The Registry has no information on how to establish (or)
operate a dispensary.
• There may be local ordinances that might impact the operation of a dispensary. Please contact local authorities for specific information.
