Colorado Department of Revenue’s Marijuana Enforcement Division (MED) released its 2018 annual update for the fifth straight year. The update provides an overview of Colorado’s legal marijuana industry using data taken directly from the state’s seed-to-sale marijuana inventory tracking system.

“Data collection continues to be a priority at the MED,” said Jim Burack, MED Director. “This ongoing analysis and compilation of industry information helps inform the public and contributes to our outreach efforts to stakeholders.”

Some key findings in this year’s update include:

The adult-use market accounted for 66% of the total pounds of marijuana flower sold to consumers in 2018, and accounted for 86% of the total units of edibles sold to consumers.

Adult-use plants accounted for approximately 75% of the total plants cultivated in Colorado during the months of July to December.

An average of 1,316 new occupational (employee) licenses were issued each month. Approximately 30% of the employee licenses that expired in 2018 were renewed.

For the third straight year, Denver, Pueblo, El Paso and Boulder Counties had the highest number of plants cultivated each month.

There was a 3% increase (47 licenses) in adult-use business licenses, while medical business licenses saw an 8% decrease (77 licenses).

MED processed approximately 54 Change of Ownership applications per month.

To view MED’s 2018 annual report and all previous mid-year and annual reports, please visit: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/enforcement/med-updates.