Florida Medical Marijuana Patient Growth Slows in 2025 — What It Means for Patients and Reformers

Recent data from the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) shows that Florida’s medical marijuana program continues to add patients — but at a slower pace than in prior years. While growth remains positive, the slowdown highlights both structural barriers within the program and the urgency for broader cannabis policy reform.

Steady Numbers, Slowing Momentum

According to the latest reporting, Florida began 2025 with roughly 895,469 active medical marijuana patients and ended the year with about 930,643 — an increase of just over 35,000 patients over 11 months. That works out to around 3,200 new patients per month, a significant deceleration compared to earlier years when enrollment surged more rapidly as the program matured and awareness spread.

This trend suggests Florida’s medical marijuana program has entered a plateau phase. As more Floridians who want access have already enrolled, the pool of new participants naturally shrinks — but the slowdown also points to systemic issues that may still be preventing eligible patients from joining the program.

Barriers to Access Still Loom

There are several possible explanations for this slowdown:

• Market saturation: With nearly a million registered patients, Florida’s program is one of the largest in the nation — meaning most people who want access already have it.

• Physician availability: OMMU data shows that certified physicians — the doctors authorized to recommend medical marijuana — haven’t grown significantly alongside the patient count, which could limit access for new patients seeking certification.

• Regulatory and logistical hurdles: The process for obtaining or renewing a medical marijuana card can be cumbersome, involving appointments, paperwork, and sometimes delays — all of which can discourage patients, especially those dealing with chronic conditions.

These practical challenges remind us that legal access on paper doesn’t always equal real access in practice — particularly for patients with mobility issues, financial constraints, or limited broadband or transportation options.

More Consumption, More Dispensaries

Interestingly, although patient growth is slowing, total cannabis usage among enrolled patients is increasing. The amount of medical marijuana dispensed across the state climbed from approximately 358 million milligrams of THC in January to 437 million by December, indicating that existing patients are using more product throughout the year.

Additionally, the number of licensed dispensaries continued to rise, from 702 to 735 in the past year, expanding geographic access and infrastructure even as enrollments decelerate.

Why This Matters for Reform Advocates

While this slowdown doesn’t signal a crisis, it does highlight important realities:

• Medical programs alone can’t address all access gaps. Many potential patients may still face hurdles that keep them from enrolling or renewing.

• Data shows demand isn’t disappearing. Existing patients are consuming more, and sales figures remain robust — reminding us that cannabis is providing meaningful relief for many Floridians.

• Broader reform could reduce friction. A medical system that’s easier to navigate, coupled with adult-use access, could help ensure truly equitable and practical access for all Floridians.

For supporters of common-sense cannabis policy, these trends reinforce the need to push for reforms that reduce barriers, protect patient privacy, and expand safe access — both within the medical system and eventually into adult-use legalization.