Marijuana Business Magazine - Issue 09, Oct 2017

CANNABUS¬NESS BY THE NUMBERS T he number of medical marijuana dispensaries in any given state depends on many factors. However, some of the most successful medical cannabis pro- grams in the nation – such as Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona – have a high number of dispensaries relative to their adult populations. More dispensaries per capita typically is a reflection of – rather than a precursor to – a successful MMJ program. In fact, new medical cannabis programs appear to be borrowing a page from their successful counterparts. To wit: Many state programs set to come online in the coming months are placing comparatively high caps on the number of dispensaries allowed to operate, which will increase access to MMJ and boost patient enrollment. With that in mind, here are some figures tied to dispensa- ries per capita across the industry and in specific states: Number of MMJ Dispensaries Per Capita 1.65 1.39 12.33 Average number of operating dispensaries per 100,000 residents age 18 or older in states where MMJ programs are up and running. Excluding Colorado, this number drops to 1.05. Average number of dispensaries – per 100,000 18-plus residents – that will be allowed in states where MMJ programs have yet to come online, including Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Number of dispensaries per 100,000 18-plus residents in Colorado, the most of any state MMJ program. 0.07 Number of dispensaries per 100,000 18-plus residents in New Jersey, the least of any state MMJ program. 10 • Marijuana Business Magazine • October 2017 Note: California, Michigan and Montana are excluded from these figures because they do not currently license dispensaries at the state level Sources: MMJ program websites, U.S. Census Bureau 2015 population estimates