Study Identifies Nearly 110,000 Medical Marijuana Caregivers Nationwide and Over 35,000 Authorizing Clinicians
- Nearly 110,000 people are registered as medical marijuana caregivers in the US, outnumbering the approximately 35,000 clinicians authorized to approve medical marijuana use by about three to one in 2024.
- The number of clinicians authorized to approve medical marijuana increased by roughly 19%, from 29,500 in 2020 to over 35,000 in 2024, according to a University of Michigan study published in Annals of Internal Medicine.
- Caregivers assist patients by purchasing marijuana, aiding in cultivation, and managing medical marijuana products, which is especially important for patients with mobility issues or serious illnesses.
- Significant state-by-state differences in caregiver participation were found, with higher rates in states permitting home cultivation and those that have legalized recreational marijuana, reflecting variations in regulations and patient access.
Nearly 110,000 people are registered as medical marijuana caregivers across the United States, according to a new study providing what researchers describe as the first nationwide estimate of the population.
The study, published in Annals of Internal Medicine by researchers from the University of Michigan, also found that the number of clinicians authorized to approve medical marijuana use has increased substantially in recent years.
Researchers analyzed publicly available information from state medical marijuana programs between 2020 and 2024, examining both clinicians authorized to approve patients and registered caregivers who assist patients with accessing or managing marijuana.
The number of authorizing clinicians increased from approximately 29,500 in 2020 to more than 35,000 in 2024, an increase of roughly 19%.
By comparison, researchers identified nearly 110,000 registered medical marijuana caregivers in 2024, meaning caregivers outnumbered authorizing clinicians by approximately three to one.
Caregivers play varying roles depending on state law, including purchasing marijuana on behalf of patients, assisting with cultivation and helping patients manage their medical marijuana products. They can be particularly important for patients who have mobility limitations, serious illnesses or other conditions that make independently accessing marijuana difficult.
The researchers also found substantial differences in caregiver participation between states. Caregiver rates were highest in states that allow patients or caregivers to cultivate marijuana at home and in states that have also legalized recreational marijuana.
The findings highlight a part of state medical marijuana systems that researchers say has received relatively little attention compared with patient enrollment and physician participation.
Although tens of thousands of clinicians authorize patients to participate in medical marijuana programs, the considerably larger caregiver population suggests caregivers represent another significant component of the country’s medical marijuana infrastructure.
Researchers said differences between states may reflect variations in medical marijuana regulations and patients’ access to care.