OMMU Final Order on 22 New Florida MMTC Licenses Expected Soon, What to Expect

New Choices for Consumers on the Way

Florida's 22 new Medical Marijuana Treatment Center (MMTC) licenses Final Order should be dropping this summer — that is soon. What it means for Florida cannabis patients is more choice, as once issued we would expect to see the new market entrants opening dispensaries in 2027.

Background & Next Steps

• April 2023 — Florida's Department of Health's Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) received 74 applications for 22 new MMTC licenses. Florida law requires the Department of Health to issue 4 new licenses for every 100,000 registered patients, so the state is a little behind the curve — that would mean 36 should be licensed on top of the established baseline of 17 licenses, so that means 53 licenses should be available.
• 11/26/24 — OMMU issued preliminary notices of intent to award to 22 applicants (intent-to-approve letters), and the remaining applicants were notified of their intent to deny.
• 05/11/26 — Administrative Law Judge Mary Li Creasy issued the Florida MMTC recommended order following litigation by those denied (ALJ MMTC Order — also readable here on FlaTCB).
• Next step — the OMMU can take the recommendation and rescore the applicants, or not. It is expected to issue its final order this summer.
• Then — once the Final Order is signed and licenses are distributed, operators do not open immediately. Under Florida law, winners must build out their infrastructure and pass a rigid OMMU inspection to secure a "Cultivation Authorization" within a strict operational window (typically 180 days; this clock starts immediately on issuance of the Final Order).
• Potential fly in the ointment that may delay timing — appeals by those denied can be filed asking for a "stay" of the Final Order.

Some of the Original 22 Notable Nationally Recognized Winners

• Theory Wellness
• STIIIZY
• Sports Consultants, Inc. (d/b/a Belushi's Farm Florida) — belushisfarm.com
• Wachovia Holdings, LLC (d/b/a Greenlight) — greenlightdispensary.com

Consumer and MMTC Impacts

We expect the openings of these new dispensaries will be a positive for consumers in Florida by offering more choice, new variety, and in the longer term lower prices.

For MMTCs, we believe competitive pressures will rise for the existing participants and market share will be a challenge to defend. Pressure to operate efficiently and scale will continue, and we may eventually see some players run into financial challenges if they are unable to scale and adapt.

Conclusion

We will be keeping our eyes out for the Final Order, as it will usher in arguably the biggest change in the marketplace since the initial awards of MMTC licenses.