Number of cannabis dispensaries in the U.S. 2024, by state

Oklahoma had the largest number of cannabis dispensaries as of January 2024. The U.S. federal government still prohibits the use of cannabis in any way. Use of any cannabis is punishable by law at a federal level. However, many states have legalized its use for medical and recreational purposes. California was the first state that legalized marijuana for medical use. 

Medical cannabis usage

Medical cannabis is defined as a legalized form of cannabis that must be prescribed by a doctor. Despite the controversy associated with legalized marijuana, many adults support its use for medical purposes. Medical marijuana has been used to mitigate the effects of pain, nausea and mental health disorders. Among states with medical marijuana programs, a majority have seen a reduction in the number of pain medications prescribed by doctors. 

Cannabis dispensaries

The U.S. medical cannabis business is a highly regulated industry. Unregulated dispensaries also exist, but are not legal businesses in many states. Among medical marijuana dispensaries in the U.S., those that were regulated were usually more profitable than those that were not regulated. Regulated dispensaries in the U.S. also have a higher number of customers than those that are unregulated.