Oklahoma is the state with the most medical cannabis patients, with 9,172 patients per 100,000 people.

Maine is second, with 7,663 patients per 100,000 population, and Pennsylvania in is third, with 5,492 patients per 100,000 residents.

California has the least medical cannabis patients, with 8 patients per 100,000 people.

New data has revealed the states with the most people taking cannabis for medical purposes.

The study, conducted by hemp experts Olofly, gathered data from the Marijuana Policy Project on the number of individuals who are authorized to use cannabis (marijuana) for medical purposes under a doctor’s recommendation or certification for 2022/2023. This was calculated per 100,000 residents and the states were then ranked based on this.

Oklahoma leads the nation with 9,172 medical cannabis patients per 100,000 people, totaling 368,679 patients, which represents 9.17% of the population. The state has one of the most accessible medical cannabis programs, allowing doctors to recommend cannabis for any condition they deem appropriate.

Maine has 7,663 patients per 100,000 people, translating to 106,164 individuals using medical cannabis, which accounts for 7.66% of the population. It is one of the earliest adopters of medical cannabis, having legalized it in 1999. Patients can cultivate their own cannabis or purchase from eight state-licensed dispensaries.

With 5,492 patients per 100,000 people, Pennsylvania has 712,421 registered medical cannabis patients, making up 5.49% of the state’s population. Its program, legalized in 2016 under Act 16, is highly regulated and caters to conditions like chronic pain, cancer, and PTSD.

New Mexico has 4,775 patients per 100,000 residents, amounting to 100,921 patients or 4.78% of the population. The state’s program, established in 2007 under the Lynn and Erin Compassionate Use Act, provides for a broad range of conditions, including PTSD and severe chronic pain.

Florida has one of the largest medical cannabis programs in the U.S., with 831,775 patients (3,739 per 100,000 residents), representing 3.74% of the population. Legalized in 2016 through Amendment 2, the program enforces strict rules on dispensary operations and product quality.

D.C. has 3,180 patients per 100,000 people, totaling 21,364 patients, or 3.18% of its population. Medical cannabis was legalized in 2010 under the Legalization of Marijuana for Medical Treatment Amendment Act. Patients can access dispensaries or grow cannabis at home under specific guidelines.

Arkansas counts 94,373 patients in its program, equating to 3,099 patients per 100,000 people, or 3.10% of the population. Legalized in 2016 via Issue 6, the program has a defined list of qualifying conditions and requires patient registration.

Montana has 2,676 patients per 100,000 residents, with a total of 30,045 registered individuals. The state legalized medical cannabis in 2004 and allows patients to grow their own cannabis or purchase from one of the over 350 licensed dispensaries.

Missouri supports 2,651 patients per 100,000 residents, amounting to 163,787 patients or 2.65% of the population. The program, legalized in 2018 via Amendment 2, caters to a broad list of conditions, including chronic pain and PTSD.

With 2,634 patients per 100,000 people, Maryland serves 162,401 patients, which is 2.63% of the state’s population. Legalized in 2013 under the Natalie M. LaPrade Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission, the program includes a robust application process and allows access to various cannabis forms.