The expansion of medical marijuana sufferers in Florida, nonetheless the nation’s largest medical-only market, is displaying indicators of slowing.
Latest knowledge from the state Workplace of Medical Marijuana Use reveals a modest improve within the variety of certified sufferers year-over-year, however the tempo of development seems to have decelerated, in keeping with New Hashish Ventures.
Nonetheless, each general medical marijuana gross sales in addition to the variety of licensed dispensaries continues to develop.
In January, Florida reported 895,469 lively MMJ sufferers with ID playing cards. By December, the quantity had risen to 930,643, reflecting a rise of 35,174 sufferers over 11 months.
This interprets to a median month-to-month development of about 3,200 sufferers.
Whereas the expansion is optimistic, it’s slower in comparison with earlier years with the MMJ program was increasing extra quickly.
A number of elements could contribute to the development.
First, the market could also be approaching saturation, with a good portion of eligible sufferers already enrolled.
Second, regulatory or logistical obstacles, reminiscent of the applying course of or doctor availability might be limiting new affected person registrations.
The variety of certified physicians was 2,462 in January, and there’s no indication of serious development, which may constrain affected person entry.
Florida medical marijuana gross sales, dispensaries improve
The quantity of medical marijuana offered additionally highlights tendencies within the MMJ market.
The entire quantity of MMJ disbursed in milligrams of THC elevated from 358.3 million in early January to 437.4 million by December.
The variety of dispensaries elevated from 702 to 735 throughout the identical interval.
The information means that whereas affected person development is slowing, current sufferers are utilizing MMJ merchandise extra extensively, and the market infrastructure continues to broaden.
Florida hashish operators are hoping for adult-use legalization.
A proposed constitutional modification that might legalize hashish for adults 21 and over, supported by Tallahassee-based marijuana multistate operator Trulieve Hashish, is gathering signatures regardless of obstacles from the state.
