The data shows a significant upward trend in the number of medical marijuana patients in Illinois from 2015 to 2021, indicating growing acceptance and utilization of medical marijuana. Starting from almost 3 thousand patients in 2015, the count surged to over 120 thousand by 2020, slightly decreasing to a little over 100 thousand in 2021. This overall increase reflects the expanding recognition of the benefits of medical marijuana within the state.
Year | Patients | Applications |
2015 | 2,663 | 3,273 |
2016 | 7,707 | 20,817 |
2017 | 21,800 | 37,823 |
2018 | 39,808 | 20,817 |
2019 | 76,939 | 56,515 |
2020 | 121,775 | 61,878 |
2021 | 101,366 | 102,323 |
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health