Arizonan hit new records with its medical marijuana program last year.
Arizonans who hold medical-marijuana cards bought 1.3 million ounces of marijuana in 2017 — or, about 86,637 pounds, according to a new report by the state Department of Health Services, which oversees the state’s program.
That’s up nearly 50 percent from sales in 2016.
Of that, marijuana edibles — such as candies and food — represented about 3,718 pounds.
The state’s program grew to other new highs: nearly 153,000 of Arizonans held the cards that allow them to buy and carry cannabis, up from about 114,000 in 2016.
Most patients cited chronic pain as the reason for the pot recommendation. Men used the program most last year, representing nearly 62 percent of patients.
Arizona’s medical-marijuana program, narrowly approved by voters in 2010, allows people with certain debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana. They must obtain a recommendation from a physician and register with the state, which issues identification cards to qualified patients and caregivers.
