First national estimate identifies nearly 110,000 medical cannabis caregivers

by American College of Physicians

edited by Lisa Lock, reviewed by Andrew Zinin

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A national analysis found that the number of clinicians authorized to approve medical cannabis use in the United States increased to more than 35,000 in 2024. The study also provides the first nationwide estimate of medical cannabis caregivers, identifying nearly 110,000 individuals who help patients obtain, grow or manage cannabis products. Caregivers outnumbered authorizing clinicians by roughly 3 to 1, highlighting the significant role they play in supporting medical cannabis use. The findings are published in Annals of Internal Medicine.

For the survey, researchers from the University of Michigan collected publicly available data from state medical cannabis programs across the United States between 2020 and 2024 to estimate the number of clinicians authorized to approve medical cannabis use and the number of registered caregivers.

They found that the number of authorizing clinicians grew from about 29,500 in 2020 to more than 35,000 in 2024, while nearly 110,000 caregivers were registered nationwide in 2024.

Caregiver rates were highest in states that allow home cultivation of cannabis and in states with recreational cannabis programs. The authors concluded that both clinicians and caregivers are important parts of the medical cannabis system, but substantial variation across states suggests differences in regulations and access to care.

Publication details

Kevin F. Boehnke et al, U.S. Authorizing Clinicians and Medical Cannabis Caregivers: 2020–2024, Annals of Internal Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.7326/annals-26-03446

Journal information: Annals of Internal Medicine

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Allied healthClinical pharmacology Provided by American College of Physicians Who's behind this story?

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