Legal cannabis consumption in South Florida: who’s using it, and why (2019–2025)

South Florida (Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach) sits at the center of Florida’s fast-growing medical cannabis market. Adult-use remains illegal statewide, but Florida’s medical program has exploded and hemp-derived products have become a parallel channel—with new rules and political back-and-forth that affect who can legally buy. Below is a data-driven look at the last five years, with a focus on age brackets, a ranking by use, and the drivers behind each group.

  • Medical cannabis only. Patients with a qualifying condition and an active Florida Medical Marijuana Use Registry (MMUR) ID card can purchase from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). As of Sept. 5, 2025 there were 923,918 Floridians with active cards.
  • Hemp products: The Legislature tightened rules for hemp extracts and imposed a 21+ floor; a 2024 bill to further restrict intoxicating hemp products was vetoed by Gov. DeSantis, leaving age-21 sales and other limits in place. READ MORE: Florida Senate
  • Youth: Under 18s may access medical cannabis only through a caregiver and added safeguards; all non-medical youth use is illegal.

Five-year trajectory (2019–2025)

Florida’s medical registry roughly doubled since early 2021. The OMMU reported ~497,000 active patients (Feb. 26, 2021) versus ~924,000 (Sept. 5, 2025). That rise mirrors sustained demand in metros like Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach and ongoing clinic and dispensary build-outs. READ MORE: OMMU Florida

At the same time, federal household surveys show young-adult prevalence (18–25) leads other age groups for past-month cannabis use in Florida, with adults 26+ next and teens 12–17 lowest (a pattern consistent nationwide). SAMHSA cautions that 2021–2022 methods changed, so those estimates aren’t directly comparable with pre-2021, but the rank order holds.

Ranking: age groups that use cannabis the most (Florida)

1) 18–25 (highest)
Why: College/early-career stress, social acceptance, and interest in vapes/edibles; strong cultural fit with South Florida’s nightlife and creative industries. Data: NSDUH state tables (2021–2022/2022–2023) show Florida’s 18–25 cohort with the highest past-month use among age groups. READ MORE: SAMHSA

2) 26+ (second)
Why: Wellness/relief (sleep, anxiety, pain), alcohol substitution, and fitness-friendly products (low-dose edibles, tinctures). Data: NSDUH shows adults 26+ are the second-highest prevalence group; in Florida’s medical market, the sheer growth in active MMUR IDs also points to sustained adult demand across 30s-60s.

3) 12–17 (lowest, and illegal unless medical)
Why: Enforcement and parental/academic oversight; ongoing prevention efforts. Data: Florida’s Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS 2023) tracks youth marijuana (including vaping) trends and underscores that under-21 non-medical use is illegal. READ MORE: My Florida Families

Important caveat: SAMHSA notes 2021–2022 estimates are not comparable to earlier years; use the most recent vintages for ranking rather than strict year-over-year trend lines.

South Florida lens: how the market shows up locally

  • Density of access: Florida’s MMTC network (e.g., Trulieve, MÜV, Curaleaf, Surterra, Sunnyside) operates hundreds of storefronts statewide—many clustered in large metros such as Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach—supporting patient access and product variety. (Weekly OMMU dispensations list active operators and total statewide volumes each week.)
  • Product mix: Citrus-terpene forward vapes and edibles, balanced tinctures, and higher-THC flower dominate dispensations statewide; South Florida stores mirror that mix and layer in tourist-area convenience (delivery, extended hours) that appeal to 18–25 and 26–44 demographics. (Operators and volumes shown in the latest Weekly Update.)

What’s driving each age bracket (South Florida)

18–25: culture & convenience

  • Drivers: Social acceptance, nightlife, creative work scenes, delivery/online ordering, and lower perceived risk vs. alcohol.
  • Products: Disposable vapes, gummies, infused beverages; price-sensitive promotions.
  • Why it matters: This cohort tops the prevalence rankings and drives first-time experimentation and brand discovery.

26–39: wellness & performance

  • Drivers: Sleep stressors, post-work wind-down, fitness recovery, and selective alcohol replacement.
  • Products: Low-dose edibles (2.5–5 mg), tinctures, balanced flower (THC+CBD).
  • Why it matters: Higher purchasing power; repeat medical-patient visits show up in registry growth.

40–59: targeted relief & routine

  • Drivers: Chronic pain, anxiety, inflammatory issues; preference for reliable dosing and formulations that fit busy schedules.
  • Products: Capsules, tinctures, 1:1 edibles, topical adjuncts.
  • Why it matters: This group contributes materially to the medical market; physician certifications and program rules (dosing/supply limits) shape purchasing cadence.

60+: comfort, sleep, and mobility

  • Drivers: Sleep disorders, neuropathic pain, arthritis; rising comfort with cannabis and more primary-care referrals.
  • Products: Low-dose edibles, tinctures, topicals; careful titration.
  • Why it matters: National data show increasing cannabis experimentation among older adults; Florida’s mature medical program and physician guidance lower barriers. READ MORE: Alliance for Connected Care

Under-21 (medical-only)

  • Drivers: Physician-directed therapy in specific conditions; strict caregiver rules.
  • Why it matters: This segment is small and tightly controlled by statute, with additional restrictions for smoking forms under 18.

5-year data snapshot you can cite

  • Medical patients (statewide):
    • Feb 26, 2021: 497,068 active patients.
    • Sept 5, 2025: 923,918 active patients.
    • Implication: ~86% growth in active medical IDs in ~4.5 years; South Florida, as the state’s largest metro, captures a significant share of that demand.
  • Age-based prevalence (Florida, household surveys):
    • 18–25 = highest, 26+ = second, 12–17 = lowest for past-month use (latest NSDUH state estimates). Methodology changed in 2021–2022, so compare within current vintages.
  • Hemp-derived products:
    • Florida put 21+ limits on ingestible/inhalable hemp extracts; a 2024 bill to further tighten intoxicating hemp products (including delta-8/-10, HHC, etc.) was vetoed. Expect renewed debate—important for South Florida retailers and consumers.

Takeaways for targeting by age in South Florida

  1. Lead with 18–25 for awareness (top prevalence), emphasize convenience (delivery, mobile menus), price promos, and terpene-led flavor.
  2. Anchor your core revenue in 26–44: wellness framing, low-dose/functional SKUs, and consistent medical guidance.
  3. Build trust with 45–64 and 65+ via physician education, clear dosing, and sleep/pain outcomes—this is where medical credentials and program literacy matter most.
  4. Stay compliant on youth: prevention messaging and caregiver rules; under-21 non-medical use is illegal.