Florida's Medical Marijuana Patient Growth Slows Amid Market Expansion

Florida's medical marijuana market, the largest in the U.S. that remains medical-only, is experiencing a deceleration in patient growth. Despite the state’s robust infrastructure for medical cannabis, recent data from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use indicates a slower increase in the number of registered patients. This trend suggests a shift in the market dynamics, even as sales and dispensary numbers continue to rise

In January 2025, Florida reported 895,469 active medical marijuana patients, a number that grew to 930,643 by December. This reflects an addition of 35,174 patients over the year, translating to an average monthly growth of approximately 3,200 patients. Although this represents a positive trend, it is a noticeable slowdown compared to previous years when the program was expanding more rapidly

Several factors could be contributing to this slowdown. The market may be nearing saturation, with most eligible patients already enrolled. Additionally, regulatory and logistical barriers, such as the complexity of the application process and limited physician availability, may hinder new patient registrations. The number of qualified physicians remained stagnant at 2,462, potentially restricting access for new patients

Despite the slowing growth in patient numbers, the consumption of medical marijuana remains robust. The total amount of THC dispensed increased significantly from 358.3 million milligrams in January to 437.4 million by December, indicating that existing patients are using more products. Furthermore, the number of dispensaries grew from 702 to 735, reflecting ongoing market expansion

Looking forward, Florida cannabis operators are optimistic about the potential for adult-use legalization. A proposed constitutional amendment, backed by Trulieve Cannabis, aims to allow cannabis use for adults 21 and over. This initiative is currently gathering signatures, despite facing challenges from state authorities. If successful, this could further transform Florida's cannabis landscape