Florida

Is weed legal in Florida? What to know before traveling for holidays

Published

1 month ago

December 15, 2025

Press Room

Is weed legal in Florida? What to know before traveling for holidays

Medical marijuana is legal for Florida residents with a state-issued card and a qualifying condition.
Possession of marijuana without a medical card can lead to penalties ranging from fines to felony charges.

Can Floridians or those traveling to Florida for the holidays light one up while taking part in festive activities? Doing so will result in your name being added to the state’s naughty list.

While it’s legal in about half the country, recreational marijuana remains illegal in Florida.

An amendment last year to make recreational marijuana legal in the Sunshine State came close and got a majority of the vote, but it failed to hit Florida’s required 60% threshold. The group behind it is trying again in 2026.

Here’s what you need to know about marijuana laws in Florida before the holiday.

Is marijuana legal in Florida?

Yes, but only for some people.

Medical marijuana is legal in Florida for residents diagnosed with a specific set of conditions who have applied for and received a Medical Marijuana ID Card or caregivers who have received a Medical Marijuana Caregiver Card.

Is recreational marijuana legal in Florida?

No. During the 2024 General Election, an amendment that called for legalizing recreational marijuana in Florida failed to get the 60% of votes needed to pass.

Is medical marijuana legal in Florida?

Medical marijuana is legal here, but only for Florida residents with the following conditions who apply for and receive a Medical Marijuana Card:

Cancer
Epilepsy
Glaucoma
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)
AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome)
PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple sclerosis
Comparable medical conditions or status to the above
A terminal condition
Chronic nonmalignant pain

Note that under a new Florida law as of July 1, medical marijuana registration will be revoked if a patient or caregiver is convicted or pleads guilty or no contest to drug trafficking, sale or manufacture.

Can I bring weed if I have a medical marijuana card from another state?

No. The state of Florida does not offer reciprocity. A bill in this year’s legislative session that would have changed that died in committee.

Can I get busted for possessing weed in Florida?

Without a Medical Marijuana Card (or Medical Marijuana Caregiver Card, for people assisting medical marijuana patients who are minors or who need help), if you are caught with pot, you will be penalized. Marijuana advocacy group NORML lists the following penalties under Florida Statutes:

Possessing 20 grams or less: First-degree misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and maximum $1,000 fine.
Possession of paraphernalia: Misdemeanor, up to one year in jail and maximum $1,000 fine.
Possessing marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park or other specified areas: Felony, mandatory three-year sentence and maximum $10,000 fine.
Possessing from 20 grams: to 25 pounds: Felony, up to five years in jail and maximum $5,000 fine.
Possessing from 25 to 2,000 pounds of marijuana: First-degree felony, from three to 15 years in jail and $25,000 fine.
Possessing from 2,000 to 10,000 pounds of marijuana: First-degree felony, from seven to 30 years and $50,000 fine.
Possessing more than 10,000 pounds of marijuana: First-degree felony, from 15 to 30 years and $200,000 fine.

However, many communities and municipalities have decriminalized possession of up to 20 grams of marijuana, meaning if you’re busted, you’ll get a fine (which will go up each time). You may be required to attend a drug education program or do community service.

Areas that have decriminalized pot include Alachua County, Broward County, Cocoa Beach, Hallandale Beach, Key West, Miami Beach, Miami-Dade County, Orlando, Osceola County, Palm Beach County, Port Richey, Sarasota, Tampa and Volusia County.

Is it legal to sell weed in Florida?

Only licensed medical marijuana dispensaries may sell marijuana in the state of Florida. Even with a medical marijuana card, you may not buy your pot anywhere but at a licensed dispensary.

People charged with selling marijuana can face the following:

25 grams or less, without renumeration: Misdemeanor, maximum 1 year in jail, $1,000 fine.
20 grams to 25 pounds: Felony, maximum 5 years in jail, $5,000 fine.
25 to less than 2,000 pounds or 300-2,000 plants: Felony, three to 15 years, maximum $25,000 fine.
2,000 to less than 10,000 pounds or 2,000-10,000 plants: Felony, seven to 30 years, maximum $50,000 fine.
10,000 pounds or more: Felony, 15 to 30 years, maximum $200,000 fine.
If within 1,000 feet of a school, college, park, or other specified areas: An additional 3-15 years, $10,000 fine.

Are low-THC products like delta-8, delta-9, delta-10 or THC-O legal in Florida?

Assorted different types of so-called “diet weed” cannabinoids, such as delta-8, delta-9, delta-10 and THC-O, which are derived from hemp and not marijuana and contain lower levels of THC, are legal here under the 2018 federal Farm Bill that allows farmers to grow industrial hemp.

Last year, the Florida Legislature passed SB 1698, a bill that effectively banned delta-8 and delta-10 products and set a 5-milligram-per-serving limit for delta-9 THC, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed it, reportedly to protect small businesses.

However, they remain federally illegal.

Can you get a DUI in Florida on marijuana?

Yes. Drivers under the influence of drugs, including marijuana, face the same penalties as drunk drivers in Florida.

That ranges from up to six months of jail time, a fine between $500 and $1,000, a license suspension, 50 hours of community service and a 10-day vehicle impoundment (for the first offense) to up to five years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, lifetime license revocation and more for the fourth offense.

Penalties go up fast if there is a minor in the vehicle or you cause property damage, injury or death.

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Florida

Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Press Room

Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. – A multi-vehicle crash caused major traffic delays Thursday on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County.

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The crash happened on Florida’s Turnpike northbound near mile marker 246.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash involved four vehicles—a Hyundai Santa Fe, a Chevrolet Silverado, a Chevrolet Trax and an Audi TTS. No one involved in the crash was taken to the hospital, FHP said.

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All lanes were temporarily shut down but have since reopened, FHP said.

It’s unclear what caused the crash, which remains under investigation.

The Source: This story was written with information from the Florida Highway Patrol.

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Florida

Organizers cancel St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples, citing high costs

Published

15 hours ago

January 21, 2026

Press Room

Organizers cancel St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples, citing high costs

The St. Patrick’s Day Parade has been a cherished tradition in Naples.

This year would have marked the event’s golden anniversary, signifying 50 years of existence in the city.

However, the event has been canceled, due to rising costs — including the higher costs charged by the city.

49th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Naples

Kim Heaslip, president of the Naples St. Patrick Foundation Inc., which puts on the event, said: “It is with deep regret and sincere disappointment that we announce we are no longer able to present the Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade on the streets of downtown Naples.”

The decision came after city council unanimously denied a request to waive city fees for the event on Jan. 21.

At the meeting, Heaslip asked for council’s help in saving the parade.

The city’s fees for the event came in at more than $20,700 in 2024, and those fees continued to rise, along with other costs.

“We were enthusiastically preparing to celebrate the 50th Annual Naples St. Patrick’s Day Parade when we were recently informed that municipal fees imposed by the City of Naples — combined with newly required full-route barricade and enforcement costs — have increased to a level that our small, volunteer-led organization can no longer sustain,” Heaslip said. “City fees have grown from under $4,000 10 years ago to $25,000. Last year, our barricade fee was under $5,000 and would have increased to $42,000 in 2026.”

At the council meeting, she warned that the event might have to be canceled, if the city didn’t lower its costs.

“We insure the city streets for the day,” Heaslip said. “We provide the porta potties. We pay waste management and countless other expenses without the city’s assistance.”

She explained how the event is supported by a small group of dedicated volunteers.

“No one receives compensation, and we do not charge the public to attend or enjoy the event,” she said.

She emphasized how every marching band that participates in the parade receives a $2,000 grant to support their school’s music programs, and how the Naples St. Patrick Foundation helps other nonprofits, including STARability, which supports children and adults with disabilities across Southwest Florida.

“This is not a private enterprise,” Heaslip told city council. “It’s a celebration for all residents and visitors, uniting families across generations. We are a safe, well managed event. The parade has never been associated with disturbances or unruly behavior.”

During council discussions, Vice Mayor Terry Hutchison said he enjoyed the parade, offering him the chance to “dress up and look ridiculous” and smile, but he couldn’t justify the request to waive city fees.

“That is problematic in a lot of different ways,” he said. “And, unfortunately, I can’t support it.”

Councilman Bill Kramer said that while he, too, loved the parade, safety had to come first, and the city already sponsors enough events, including the Christmas, Fourth of July and Martin Luther King Jr. parades.

“We got to get our events right,” he said. “We have too many events.”

Councilman Berne Barton said that while the parade is “fantastic,” he couldn’t see the justification for waiving the fees, either. He argued it could set a bad precedent, leading other event organizers to demand the same, as they’ve also seen their costs rise, due to the city’s new security requirements.

Barton suggested that with some effort, the parade’s volunteers could probably find others willing to step up financially to help ensure the event continues, including corporate sponsors.

Following the brief discussion, Barton motioned to approve the event for this year, but not to waive the city’s fees. Hutchison seconded.

After the motion passed unanimously, Heaslip said the difficult decision was made to cancel the parade this year — and to longer have it.

“For decades, we have proudly and energetically raised funds to fulfill our mission and to present what has become one of Naples’ premier winter events. We are deeply grateful to the countless sponsors, donors, volunteers, and community members who have made this possible year after year. However, we cannot, in good conscience, continue fundraising efforts to cover municipal and barricade enforcement costs required by the city,” Heaslip said.

The mission of the parade has been to:

• Support high school music programs and other youth initiatives

• Provide college scholarships to deserving students

• Promote awareness and appreciation of Irish culture

Over nearly five decades, Heaslip said she’s proud of the event’s cultural, educational and economic impacts on the Naples community.

Laura Layden is business and government reporter. Reach her at laura.layden@naplesnews.com.

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.

Do you have an opinion about this local topic? Write a letter to the editor (up to 150 words) or a guest opinion (up to 600 words) and email it to letters@naplesnews.com or mailbag@news-press.com.

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Florida

Mild conditions expected across South Florida ahead of another cold front next week

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2026

Press Room

Mild conditions expected across South Florida ahead of another cold front next week

Updated on: January 21, 2026 / 8:28 AM EST
/ CBS Miami

It’s been a comfortable start to Wednesday with temperatures in the mid- to upper 60s in the morning and highs temperatures will be milder in the mid-70s in the afternoon as the breeze builds off the ocean and keeps our temperatures in check.

A few showers will also be possible on the breeze.

The beach conditions in South Florida on Wednesday, Jan. 21.

CBS News Miami

It’s also expected to be a bit breezy on Wednesday, and that will lead to hazardous beach and marine conditions.

There is a dangerous high risk of rip currents along the Atlantic beaches through Thursday evening and it will not be safe to go swimming in the ocean.