While medicinal marijuana was recently legalized in Florida, recreational cannabis use remains illegal and can come with some strict punishments.
Throughout this article, we’re going to provide you with all the information concerning cannabis laws and regulations within the state of Florida.
Cannabis Possession in Florida
Unless you hold a medical marijuana card, it’s illegal to possess cannabis and marijuana paraphernalia. If caught, you can expect the following penalties:
Possession (Flower)
- 20 grams or less without remuneration – a misdemeanor that’s punishable with 1 year incarceration and a $1,000 fine.
- 25 lbs or less – a felony that’s punishable with 5 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
- More than 25 lbs to less than 2,000 lbs (or, 300 to 2,000 plants) – a felony that’s punishable with up to 15 years incarceration and a $25,000 fine.
- 2,000 lbs to less than 10,000 lbs (or, 2,000 to 10,000 plants) – a felony that’s punishable with up to 30 years incarceration and a $50,000 fine.
- 10,000 lbs or more – a felony that’s punishable with a minimum of 15 years or a maximum of 30 years incarceration along with a $200,000 fine.
Keep in mind, if you are caught with ANY amount of cannabis within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park, or other specified areas, you could be charged with a felony that’s punishable with 15 years incarceration and a $10,000 fine.
Not to mention, any possession charge (including those listed below) will result in a driver’s license suspension for a period of 1 year.
Hash & Concentrates
- Possession – a felony that’s punishable with 5 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
- Sale, Manufacturing, Delivering – a felony that’s punishable with 5 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
Paraphernalia
- Possession – a misdemeanor that’s punishable with up to 1 year incarceration and a $1,000 fine.
Selling, Manufacturing, and Delivering Cannabis in Florida
Unless you are a state-licensed medicinal marijuana dispensary, it is illegal to sell, manufacture, and deliver cannabis in Florida. If caught, you can expect the following penalties:
- 20 grams or less without remuneration – a misdemeanor that’s punishable with 1 year incarceration and a $1,000 fine.
- 25 lbs or less – a felony that’s punishable with 5 years incarceration and a $5,000 fine.
- More than 25 lbs to less than 2,000 lbs (or, 300 to 2,000 plants) – a felony that’s punishable with up to 15 years incarceration and a $25,000 fine.
- 2,000 lbs to less than 10,000 lbs (or, 2,000 to 10,000 plants) – a felony that’s punishable with up to 30 years incarceration and a $50,000 fine.
- 10,000 lbs or more – a felony that’s punishable with a minimum of 15 years or a maximum of 30 years incarceration along with a $200,000 fine.
Medicinal Cannabis in Florida
Back in 2016, the state of Florida was added to the list of states where medicinal marijuana is legal. This gives patients with a state-issued medical marijuana card the right to possess cannabis.
In order to qualify, you must be diagnosed with a qualifying condition (see below) by a certified physician and have permanent or temporary residency in Florida.
The qualifying conditions for a medical marijuana card in Florida include:
- Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
- Cancer
- Chron’s Disease
- Epilepsy
- Glaucoma
- HIV/AIDS
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Florida also authorizes medicinal marijuana cards to be given to those with “diagnosable, debilitating conditions of like, kind or class” (i.e. anxiety, depression, and migraines). Not to mention, terminal conditions (diagnosed by a physician besides the physician issuing certification) and chronic nonmalignant pain (this is a pain caused by a qualifying medical condition that persists beyond the usual course of that condition).
Patients are allowed to carry up to 2.5 ounces of marijuana flower on them every 35 days as needed.
In order to obtain a medical marijuana card in Florida, you must provide:
- A copy of your house deed or lease agreement
- Utility bill that’s no more than two months old
- State ID or driver’s license
- Passport
Some restrictions concerning medical cannabis consumption in Florida include:
- In any public place
- On any form of public transportation
- In the patient’s place of employment (unless permitted by employer)
- In a state correctional institution
- On the grounds of a preschool, primary school, or secondary school
- On a school bus
- In a vehicle
- In an aircraft
- On a motorboat