Health care costs far outweigh any sales tax revenues—Of patients that use marijuana, over 80% of them do not pay their hospital bills.


If for no other reason, here’s why the movement to promote marijuana use in our communities for big profit needs to end: Health care costs far outweigh any sales tax revenues–a shortfall that we will all have to pay for through our own tax dollars.

Of patients that use marijuana, over 80% of them do not pay their hospital bills. Look at the losses of this one hospital in Colorado alone.

This data and findings from the Journal of Public Drug Policy and Practice. Kenneth Finn, MD, President Springs Rehab, PC; Rochelle Salmore, MSN, RN, NE-B, Nurse Scientist, Penrose St. Francis Health Services

“Conclusion: Subjects seen in the ED had similar diagnoses as those reviewed in the literature, confirming the serious side effects of marijuana use. During the study period, the study hospital incurred a true loss of twenty million dollars in uncollected charges after allowing for contractual obligations. While adverse health effects have been described in the literature, there is little data on the financial impact of marijuana use on the health care system. This study demonstrated an increasing number of patients who are seen in the ED also have used cannabis. These patients are not always able to pay their bills, resulting in a financial loss to the hospital. The authors encourage the collection of hospital financial data for analysis in the states where medicinal (MMJ) and/or recreational marijuana is legal.”