KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — The number of medical marijuana users in Hawaii has jumped to more than 8,000, up from about 2,575 in January 2007.

The chief of the narcotics enforcement division for the state Department of Public Safety, Keith Kamita, said Wednesday that just 2 percent of the current patients suffer from cancer and other debilitating ailments the program is intended to target.

West Hawaii Today reports Kamita says 4,938 permit-holders were prescribed marijuana for claims of severe pain.

He says marijuana is also prescribed for patients complaining of headaches, pain from wearing high heels, dry skin, insomnia and other ailments.

Kamita says more than half of the patients in the medical marijuana program live on the Big Island.