The data displayed in the table tracks the number of patients and primary caregivers in the state’s medical cannabis program from 2004 through to 2024. Peaking at 11 thousand in 2009-10, the number of patients significantly dropped in the years that followed. This decline could possibly be related to the legalization of recreational marijuana in California.
Fiscal Year | Total | Patient | Primary Caregiver |
2023–24 | 2,331 | 2,232 | 99 |
2022–23 | 3,218 | 3,082 | 136 |
2021–22 | 3,267 | 3,093 | 174 |
2020–21 | 2,701 | 2,550 | 151 |
2019–20 | 3,355 | 3,155 | 200 |
2018–19 | 4,807 | 4,551 | 256 |
2017–18 | 7,385 | 6,981 | 404 |
2016–17 | 6,051 | 5,643 | 408 |
2015–16 | 6,667 | 6,258 | 409 |
2014–15 | 6,490 | 6,057 | 433 |
2013–14 | 6,170 | 5,768 | 402 |
2012–13 | 6,194 | 5,798 | 396 |
2011–12 | 7,801 | 7,324 | 477 |
2010–11 | 10,293 | 9,886 | 407 |
2009–10 | 12,659 | 11,575 | 1,084 |
2008–09 | 9,219 | 8,112 | 1,107 |
2007–08 | 8,355 | 7,321 | 1,034 |
2006–07 | 10,274 | 8,981 | 1,293 |
2005–06 | 4,150 | 3,593 | 557 |
2004–05 | 85 | 72 | 13 |
Total To Date | 121,472 | 112,032 | 9,440 |
The table below shows the number of medical marijuana cards issued in California per month. There was a significant drop from May to December in 2023, but the count went back up the following month.
Month | 2023 | 2024 |
January | 235 | 295 |
February | 233 | 225 |
March | 276 | 242 |
April | 264 | No Data |
May | 358 | No Data |
June | 261 | No Data |
July | 273 | No Data |
August | 328 | No Data |
September | 278 | No Data |
October | 255 | No Data |
November | 246 | No Data |
December | 189 | No Data |
Total Cards Issued | 3,196 | 762 |
Source: California Department of Public Health