Pubdate: Mon, 10 Mar 2014
Source: Denver Post (CO)
Copyright: 2014 The Denver Post Corp
Contact:  http://www.denverpost.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/122
Author: Eric Gorski

REGISTRY SEES SLIGHT UPTICK IN PATIENTS

The number of patients on Colorado's medical marijuana registry rose 
ever so slightly in the first month of recreational store sales, 
according to new figures from state health officials.

As of Jan. 31, a total of 111,030 people held active red cards 
allowing them to buy medical marijuana, 51 more than a month earlier.

The true impact of the arrival of recreational stores on the state's 
medical marijuana registry, however, will not be felt until later 
this year as the market evolves and more patients decide whether to renew.

"People are just holding back in making their decisions," said Meg 
Collins, executive director of the Cannabis Business Alliance, an 
industry group representing medical and recreational marijuana 
companies. "There are legitimate reasons for people to stay on the 
registry as patients, and people are waiting to see how this sorts out."

Obtaining a red card requires getting a recommendation from a doctor, 
and patients must join the registry to shop at a dispensary. That 
sharing of personal information makes some uncomfortable.

There are benefits to being a patient, too, including lower prices 
and avoiding the extra sales and excise taxes of recreational pot.

Because recreational sales are restricted to those 21 and over, 
medical dispensaries remain an option for those ages 18 to 21.

Collins said some dispensary owners are reporting an increase in 
patients since recreational stores opened Jan. 1 because of the lower 
prices and taxes.

Despite speculation that the registry would take a hit after 
Amendment 64's passage opened the door to recreational sales, the 
number of registered patients has increased 2 percent over the past 
year, according to data from the Colorado Department of Public Health 
and Environment, which maintains the registry.

Declines from patients dropping off or failing to renew have been 
offset by new patient applications.

Mason Tvert, spokesman for the Marijuana Policy Project and a 
co-author of Amendment 64, cautioned against reading anything into 
the January registry numbers. He said few people knew how the 
recreational rollout would play out, not all recreational stores were 
ready to open Jan. 1 and stores continue to open.

"I don't think there is any data available right now that could 
accurately demonstrate the direction in which things are going to 
happen," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom