Florida is nearing one million patients using medical cannabis

Florida is approaching a symbolic milestone: one million patients enrolled in its medical cannabis program. According to the latest data released by the’Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU), the U.S. state had 941,616 patients with active cards as of September 25, 2026. This figure illustrates the scale this sector has reached in a state where recreational cannabis remains prohibited.

Nearly ten years after the’Approval of medical cannabis by referendum, Florida now has one of the largest access programs in the United States, supported by a network of several hundred dispensaries and an industry structured around major operators.

Nearly 942,000 patients registered in Florida

The latest weekly report from the OMMU, the agency responsible for overseeing the Florida medical cannabis program, lists exactly 941,616 active patients, which is equivalent to approximately 4% of the state's population.

This number does not necessarily correspond to the number of regular users: it refers to people who hold a valid patient card, which allows them to legally purchase medical cannabis from authorized establishments.

The program continues to expand, although its growth now appears to be more moderate than in its early years. As of early March 2026, Florida had approximately 933,000 patients, nearly 9,000 fewer than at the end of September.

This development nevertheless confirms the lasting integration of medical cannabis into Florida’s healthcare system, where patients can access it for various eligible conditions, including certain types of chronic pain, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder, and symptoms associated with cancer.

A medical market with substantial volume

Behind these figures lies a highly developed industry. As of September 25, 2026, Florida had 781 licensed dispensaries spread across the entire state.

The volume of products distributed also serves as a measure of the market’s size. In a single week, operators reported distributing more than 418 million milligrams of THC, as well as nearly 150,000 ounces of cannabis flowers—approximately 4.2 metric tons.

These figures reflect sustained commercial activity, even though they do not, on their own, provide a basis for estimating the sector’s revenue.

The Florida market is based on a system of vertically integrated licenses. Authorized companies, known as Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTC) must oversee the entire process, from production to sale to the patient.

This organization fosters the emergence of operators with significant financial and logistical capabilities. Among the leading brands are Trulieve, MÜV, and Curaleaf, which operate numerous retail locations throughout the state.

Medical cannabis has been legal since 2016, but recreational cannabis is not

The rise of medical cannabis in Florida can be traced back to the November 2016 referendum. That year, more than 71% of voters approved Amendment 2, which significantly expanded access to cannabis for therapeutic purposes.

Since then, the program has gradually taken shape. Patients must obtain a referral from a qualified physician, be registered in the official registry, and have a valid identification card to access the products.

However, this medical expansion was not accompanied by the legalization of cannabis for adults. In November 2024, Florida voters were asked to vote on Amendment 3, which proposed to authorize the possession and purchase of recreational cannabis for people aged 21 and older. The The proposal received approximately 56% of the votes, which is not enough to reach the 60% threshold required to pass a constitutional amendment in Florida.

The outcome maintained the distinction between an already highly developed medical market and recreational use, which remains prohibited.