Jane Stepniak 200 South Ridgewood Avenue Daytona Beach, FL 32114 Phone:(386) 253-4750 janestepniak@stepniaklaw.com
Florida Marijuana Laws
Florida Marijuana Laws Compared
The graphs below represents how lenient or strict the marijuana laws are in your state compared to Maine, Hawaii, and Connecticut. This determination is based on level of enforcement, weight limits, fines and/or time imprisoned. This determination is also based on how strict penalties are for repeat offenders and proximity to certain drug restricted areas such as school zones and public parks.
Florida
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Connecticut
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Hawaii
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Maine
Lenient
Moderately Lenient
Moderate
Moderately Strict
Strict
Misdemeanors
Unlawful possession of marijuana
Any person who possesses 20 grams or less of marijuana (1st degree misdemeanor).
Fine: Up to $1,000 Imprisonment: Up to 1 year
Unlawful delivery of marijuana
Any person who delivers, without monetary exchange, not more than 20 grams of marijuana (1st degree misdemeanor).
Fine: Up to $1,000 Imprisonment: Up to 1 year
Unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia
This charge applies to the possession of any equipment that is used to produce, conceal, and consume illicit drugs. It includes but is not limited to items such as bongs, roach clips, miniature spoons, and various types of pipes.
Fine: Up to $1000 Imprisonment: Up to 1 year
Misdemeanors
Unlawful possession of marijuana
Any person who possesses more than 20 grams of marijuana (3rd degree felony).
Fine: Up to $5,000 Imprisonment: Up to 5 years
Trafficking of marijuana (less than 25 pounds)
Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers or brings into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of less than 25 pounds of marijuana.
Fine: Up to $5,000 Imprisonment: Up to 5 years
Trafficking of marijuana (25-2000 pounds)
Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers or brings into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of 25 to 2,000 pounds or 300 or more marijuana plants. (Mandatory 3 year prison sentence running consecutively to prison term imposed for violating other drug laws).
Fine: Up to $25,000 Imprisonment: MMI of 3 years
Trafficking of marijuana (2000-10000 pounds)
Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers or brings into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of 2,000 to 10,000 pounds or 2000 or more marijuana plants. (Mandatory 7 year prison sentence running consecutively to prison term imposed for violating other drug laws).
Fine: Up to $50,000 Imprisonment: MMI of 7 years
Trafficking of marijuana (10000+ pounds)
Any person who knowingly sells, manufactures, delivers or brings into this State, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of 10,000+ pounds or 10000 or more marijuana plants. (Mandatory 15 year prison sentence running consecutively to prison term imposed for violating other drug laws).
Fine: Up to $200,000 Imprisonment: MMI of 15 years
MMI-Minimum Mandatory Imprisonment
Trafficking of marijuana (near specified location)
Any person who knowingly distributes, delivers, or cultivates, or who is knowingly in actual or constructive possession of marijuana in any amount within 1,000 feet of the property comprising a child care facility or a public or private elementary, middle, or secondary school between the hours of 6 a.m. and 12 midnight, or within 1,000 feet of the property comprising a public or private college, university or within 1,000 feet of a physical place for worship at which a church or religious organization regularly conducts religious services or within 1,000 feet of a convenience business or at any time in, on, or within 1,000 feet of property comprising a state, county, or municipal park, a community center, or a publicly owned recreational facility.
Fine: Up to $10,000 Imprisonment: Up to 15 years
United States Marijuana Arrest Trends
The graphs below represent the trends in marijuana arrests from 1990 to 2005 in the United States. With the higher amount of arrests also comes tens and billions of more dollars spent on enforcement, adjudication, and imprisonment for marijuana related offenses.
