{"id":372587,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:55","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/florida-law\/florida-marijuana-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-06-18T14:56:18","modified_gmt":"2024-06-18T19:56:18","slug":"florida-marijuana-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/florida-law\/florida-marijuana-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Florida Marijuana Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Florida Marijuana Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Kit Yona, M.A.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

On marijuana laws, Florida is a study in contrasts. Florida law still classifies cannabis as a Schedule I drug<\/a>, yet the state has a thriving, popular, and legal medical marijuana program. Recreational marijuana is illegal, yet many Florida municipalities issue citations instead of arrest warrants for minor cannabis possession violations.<\/p>\r\n

While the governor of Florida is a staunch opponent of marijuana legalization, it’s the voters who will decide in November 2024<\/a> whether adult recreational personal use cannabis should be legal in the state. With the potential of huge changes on the horizon, it’s more important than ever to understand Florida marijuana laws.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we’ll examine how Florida’s medical cannabis program works, the penalties you can face for violating state marijuana laws, and what the future of adult recreational use of marijuana here might be.<\/p>\r\n

Marijuana Laws in Florida<\/h2>\r\n

Possession of marijuana in Florida that isn’t for medical use is illegal. As of May 2024, marijuana still carries a Schedule I drug classification, which is the same as it has on the federal level<\/a>. Given that Schedule I drugs are said to have "no medicinal value," but Florida has a robust medical marijuana system, this is a contradiction.<\/p>\r\n

Regardless, possession of cannabis in Florida by someone who is not part of the Marijuana Medical Use Registry (MMUR) is a crime. Even first-time offenders can face fines and jail time for simple possession. Even a minor charge can become a blight on your legal record, so consider seeking a skilled criminal defense attorney<\/a> if you find yourself in trouble.<\/p>\r\n

While you should do everything possible to mitigate risk, some parts of the state have chosen to take a decriminalization approach instead. For example, if you’re guilty of simple possession of small amounts of marijuana in Orlando<\/a> and are a first-time offender, law enforcement can give you a citation and a $100 fine instead of charging you. It’s still better to err on the side of caution and not carry in public, if possible.<\/p>\r\n

While some states allow medical marijuana patients to grow cannabis plants for personal use, Florida is not one of them. Having marijuana plants on your property may expose you to trafficking and other felony charges.<\/p>\r\n

Florida Ballot Initiative<\/h3>\r\n

In November 2024, Florida Amendment 3 is on the ballot. After the Florida Supreme Court voided a legalization initiative in 2022, Smart and Safe Florida<\/a> gathered over 900,000 valid signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot. The initiative proposes<\/a> the following:<\/p>\r\n