Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, following the approval of Amendment 2 in 2016, with approximately 71% of voters supporting the measure Recreational use, however, remains illegal. A recent attempt—Amendment 3 in November 2024—that sought to legalize adult recreational use for those 21 and older garnered 56% support, but fell short of the 60% supermajority required for passage. Polling from early 2025 suggests growing public approval for legalization, with about 67% of Florida voters now in favor, including 55% of Republicans, 66% of independents, and 82% of Democrats..
Growth in Florida’s Medical Marijuana Program
Florida’s medical marijuana patient registry has experienced remarkable expansion since its inception. Here’s a snapshot of statewide growth:
- 2017: ~63,900 registered patients
- 2018: ~167,200
- 2019: ~299,900
- 2020: ~459,200
- 2021: ~656,400
- 2022: ~778,800
- 2023: ~864,800
However, by 2024, the registry’s growth began to slow notably, though data for the full year remains incomplete
As of 2020, Florida had over 440,000 medical marijuana patients, though more current numbers suggest the registry has continued growing significantly.
While there’s no specific public data available for The Villages, the broader trend mirrors an increasingly aging population—The Villages, with a 2020 population of approximately 79,000 and a median age well into the 60s, is likely seeing a proportional share of these registered patients. Anecdotal reporting from regional news echoes this: “The number of medical marijuana patients in Florida has jumped from about 100,000 to more than 700,000 since its approval, and The Villages is leading the way”.
In Summary
- Medical marijuana is illegal in Florida; recreational legalization efforts have failed legally but continue gaining public support.
- Medical registry growth has been strong over the years but shows signs of leveling off in 2024.