Indications for Medical Cannabis and Their Alignment With US-Wide Disease Prevalences in the US' Largest Medical Cannabis Program: Cross-Sectional Study.

Jugl S.; Smolinski N.; Aydoğan T.; Winterstein A. · JMIR public health and surveillance · 2026

**Background & Methods** This cross-sectional study compared the prevalence of qualifying conditions among patients certified for medical cannabis use in Florida (the US' largest medical cannabis program) against population-based prevalence estimates for the same conditions. The research identified discrepancies between actual disease prevalence in the general population and the conditions for which patients were seeking medical cannabis certification. **Key Findings** • Marked discrepancies were observed between the prevalence of qualifying conditions among certified medical cannabis patients in Florida and population-based disease prevalence estimates, suggesting conditions are being utilized as indications for medical cannabis use at rates disproportionate to their occurrence in the general population. • The findings identify certain conditions that appear to be significant motivators for patients to pursue medical cannabis certification, despite their relative rarity in the broader population. • Results highlight important research priorities regarding which conditions warrant further investigation into the effectiveness and safety of medical cannabis as a therapeutic intervention. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. **Evidence Quality** This research letter presents a descriptive cross-sectional analysis comparing administrative certification data to epidemiological prevalence data, representing a lower level of evidence. Key limitations include: (1) inability to establish causation or mechanisms underlying the observed discrepancies; (2) reliance on administrative data from a single state program, limiting generalizability to other jurisdictions with different regulatory structures and qualifying condition lists; (3) lack of individual-level patient data regarding symptom severity, comorbidities, or treatment history that might explain certification patterns; and (4) no direct assessment of clinical outcomes, efficacy, or adverse events associated with medical cannabis use. The study's primary value lies in hypothesis generation and identifying evidence gaps rather than providing definitive clinical guidance. The authors appropriately frame their findings as highlighting research priorities for future investigations into medical cannabis effectiveness and safety for specific conditions.

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