Iowa’s medical marijuana program saw another year of growth in patient and provider participation, resulting in more than $10 million in sales by the end of 2022.
New data on the program was released in a report by the Iowa Cannabidiol Board in late December that offers recommendations to state lawmakers for proposed changes to the state program in the upcoming Legislative session.
Throughout 2022, the number of active cardholders certified to purchase medical cannabidiol products under the state program — which includes patients and caregivers designated to obtain products on behalf of a patient — ballooned.
Hundreds of patients obtained cards each month throughout 2022 until the total number of active patient cardholders reached nearly 15,000 individuals by November. That’s compared to about 7,800 patients enrolled in December 2021.
In addition, the number of cards issued to caregivers rose from 2,300 in December 2021 to more than 3,000 in November.
Among the 15,000 individuals participating in the program for a qualifying medical condition, the majority — about 10,000 — were issued cards to people suffering from chronic pain. That’s followed by post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with more than 2,800 cardholders.
Since the program officially began in November 2018, nearly 32,000 medical cannabidiol cards have been issued, which includes new patients as well as patients renewing their cards, the report shows.
