Florida’s Medical Marijuana Patient Registry: Growth Trends and a Dramatic Slowdown in 2024

Hey there, Florida cannabis community!

As the CEO of DocMJ, I’m always keeping a close eye on trends and changes in the medical marijuana landscape. Today, I want to dive into some interesting data about the growth of Florida’s medical marijuana patient registry and discuss a significant trend we’ve observed in the first part of 2024.

A Rapid Climb: The Early Years

The growth of Florida’s medical marijuana patient registry has been nothing short of impressive. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane:

• 2017: Florida had 63,896 qualified medical marijuana patients.
• 2018: The number skyrocketed to 167,211 patients, a massive increase of over 161%.
• 2019: Growth continued robustly, reaching 299,914 patients, marking a 79% increase from the previous year.

During these years, the registry saw annual growth rates that reflected a rapidly expanding acceptance and use of medical marijuana. The surge was fueled by increased physician participation, improved access to affordable products, and growing patient confidence in the benefits of cannabis for medical use.

Continued Growth: 2020 to 2023

The upward trend didn’t stop there. The next few years saw sustained growth, albeit at a slightly slower pace compared to the initial surge:

• 2020: The patient registry hit 459,171, marking a 53% increase from 2019.
• 2021: The number of patients grew to 656,370, a 43% increase from the previous year.
• 2022: Growth continued with the registry reaching 778,781 patients, a 19% increase from 2021.
• 2023: By the end of the year, the registry had grown to 864,816 patients, a healthy 11% increase from 2022.

Each year, Florida’s medical marijuana program expanded, reflecting ongoing public acceptance and the successful integration of cannabis into medical treatment plans. The continued increase in patient numbers highlighted the importance and efficacy of medical marijuana in managing various health conditions.

Leveling Off: The Dramatic Slowdown in 2024

Fast forward to 2024, and we notice a marked change in this upward trend. While we don’t have the complete data for 2024, the first six months indicate a significant leveling off in the growth of the patient registry. 

• 2024: The registry grew from 864,816 (12/29/23) to 883,567 (6/28/24) during the first six months of the year. This is an increase of 18,751, or only 3,125 per month. If this rate continues, 2024 growth will only be 37,502 patients for the year, or a 5% increase. That would be a growth rate of only 50% of 2023.  

The explosive growth has tapered off, with a predicted growth of less than 38,000 patients. The trend shows a significant slowdown, indicating that the rapid increase we saw in the early years might be stabilizing.

This shift is worth examining.

What’s Behind the Slowdown?

Several factors could be contributing to this plateau:

1. Saturation Point: With a large portion of the eligible population already registered, the pool of new patients is naturally shrinking.
2. Regulatory Changes: Any new regulations or changes in the legal landscape can impact the rate at which new patients join the registry.
3. Awareness and Education: The initial surge was partly due to a burst of awareness campaigns and education efforts. As these campaigns mature, their impact may diminish.

The Doctors

Physicians are required to renew their certification annually. Here is a look at the number of Florida physicians certified to recommend medical marijuana:

• 2021: 2,838
• 2022: 2,634
• 2023: 2,738
• 2024: 2,268 (6/28/24)

This shows that in the first six months of 2024, there has been a net loss of 470 (17%) of physicians eligible to recommend marijuana. This may be a reflection of the decreased growth from new patients entering the medical marijuana program. 

What This Means for Patients and Providers

For patients, the leveling off of the registry growth means that the medical marijuana community is becoming more stable. This can lead to better services and more consistent access to medical marijuana as the system matures.

For providers like DocMJ, it’s a signal to focus on improving the quality of care and services rather than purely expanding patient numbers. It’s an opportunity to ensure that every patient receives the best possible care and that their needs are met comprehensively.

Final Thoughts

The early part of 2024 has shown us that the rapid growth phase of Florida’s medical marijuana patient registry might be behind us. However, this leveling off is not a cause for concern but rather a sign of maturation in the market. It’s a time to focus on quality, stability, and ensuring that every patient benefits from the advancements in medical marijuana care.

Stay informed, stay healthy, and keep advocating for safe and legal access to medical marijuana!

Aaron Bloom

Aaron Bloom, an experienced healthcare attorney, serves as the CEO, overseeing the mission and growth of DocMJ and Medwell Health and Wellness Centers since 2016. Aaron’s passion for improving patients’ lives comes from his experience in healthcare. For more than 20 years, Aaron has owned, operated, and represented traditional healthcare organizations. This experience created a passion for finding improved ways to relieve suffering. His goal as CEO is to work daily to provide relief to all patients who seek better health and wellness through the medicinal benefits of medical cannabis and evidence-based alternative medicines.