Florida’s evolving cannabis landscape is generating a wide array of opinions, reflecting the nuanced views of patients, voters, regulators and businesses. As the state’s medical marijuana market matures and recreational legalization remains unresolved, the conversation around delivery and distribution continues to expand.
A majority of Floridians support legal changes. A University of North Florida (UNF) poll from early 2025 found that 67% of voters are in favor of legalizing cannabis, with bipartisan support: 82% among Democrats, 66% independents and 55% Republicans. Similarly, 66% back legalization, while only 30% oppose it. Yet, proposals for full recreational use have repeatedly failed to reach the state’s required 60% majority, most recently achieving 56% support in November 2024.
Within the medical cannabis sphere, delivery services and distribution systems are garnering particular attention. In 2025, a Florida judge ruled that online orders and third‑party platforms—like Leafly—are permissible, striking down state health department restrictions on processing patient orders through these sites. The decision marks a turning point: in states where delivery is allowed, convenience is often linked with higher patient satisfaction and better adherence to treatment.
Patients and providers reveal mixed sentiments. Academic studies and surveys highlight that medical cannabis users often appreciate accessibility—especially for pain, anxiety, sleep issues, and chronic conditions. In one informal survey spanning over 4,000 Florida medical cannabis patients, around 91% indicated support for broader recreational legalization, emphasizing delivery’s role in accommodating those with mobility challenges or severe conditions.
Concerns, however, persist. Delivery platforms raise questions related to age verification, safety, and diversion risk. Some local jurisdictions have opted to limit or track medical marijuana treatment centers (MMTCs) and dispensaries via county or municipal ordinances, and others express skepticism about third-party app facilitators.
Regulatory clarity has lagged behind both patient demand and judicial rulings. Florida’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) does not issue standalone delivery licenses; instead, MMTCs—which must hold treatment-center licenses—are authorized to distribute and transport cannabis. With no separate “transport-only” permit available, MMTCs manage both cultivation and distribution. Yet state-level guidance on online ordering, delivery logistics or app-based services remains limited.
These gaps have led businesses and advocacy groups to call for explicit frameworks around delivery. They argue that safe, regulated delivery can reduce black-market reliance, decrease travel burdens and foster patient trust. Opponents often frame delivery as a parallel to legalizing recreational cannabis, voicing fears over access, public safety, and insufficient age controls. These tensions mirror broader debates around recreational legalization, where public support is high but regulatory skepticism persists.
Looking ahead, Florida stands at a crossroads. With rising public approval and court rulings in favor of delivery, pressure grows for lawmakers to legislate delivery-specific regulations. Advocates emphasize the importance of integrating distribution into a broader public-health framework, while opponents continue to caution about unintended consequences.