Physician Certification Pattern Review

ii Overview of the 2024 Annual Report Contents Date Range for 2024 Annual Report Data July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023 Purpose of the Panel The Panel reviews physician certification patterns and produces an annual report. These findings are reported to the Governor, the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by January 1 of each year, pursuant to section 381.986(4)(j), F.S. Highlights of Trends in Physician Certifications 1. Based upon a review of the data for FYs 2021, 2022 and 2023, the data have reflected a steady increase in the number of physician certifications, physician certifications containing at least one order for smoking as a route of administration, the distinct number of qualified patients with certifications and the number of qualified physicians. Physician certifications: 921,464 to 1,142,172 to 1,315,123. Certifications with smoke order(s): 860,291 to 1,089,072 to 1,266,276. Qualified patients with certifications: 607,220 to 757,600 to 859,026. Qualified physicians with certifications: 1,656 to 1,725 to 1,742. 2. The greatest number of certifications were issued by a small percentage of qualified physicians. This ratio has been increasing as a small percentage of physicians continues to see more patients and more patients continue with subsequent certifications each fiscal year. 2021: 80% of certifications were issued by 15% of qualified physicians; 1,000 + certifications each. 1% of certifications were issued by 45% of qualified physicians; 1‐49 certifications each. 2022: 83% of certifications were issued by 17% of qualified physicians; 1,000 + certifications each. 1% of certifications were issued by 43% of qualified physicians; 1‐49 certifications each. 2023: 84% of certifications were issued by 19% of qualified physicians; 1,000 + certifications each. 1% of certifications were issued by 40% of qualified physicians; 1‐49 certifications each. 3. The ordered average daily dose (mg) has shifted each year. This year, using a geometric mean calculation, daily dose amounts have decreased across all routes of administration for both low‐THC cannabis and medical marijuana due to the implementation of Emergency Rule 64ER22‐8, which set daily dosing limits for each allowable form of marijuana. Smoking as an appropriate route of administration remains consistently at the top of the limit allowed under Florida law, 2.5 oz. per order period. See page 5 for more information on the daily dosing limits and the exemptions available.

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