The Status of Recreational Marijuana in Florida

Florida has introduced new bills that may expand access to medical and recreational marijuana in Florida. These bills could bring new laws to our state and we want you to be aware of what that means, particularly from a legal standpoint. 

The bills that are coming down the pipeline may include small changes to medical marijuana rules and more comprehensive overhauls to recreational marijuana in Florida. The forthcoming bills may also result in voters being able to pass a state constitutional amendment in 2022. However, we must keep in mind that for a proposed amendment to pass it requires 60% of voter approval. If so, that will represent another change coming 6 years after medical marijuana was originally approved in 2016.  

To familiarize yourself with the difference between medical marijuana vs. recreational marijuana in Florida please visit our previous blog post on this subject.

What Kinds Of Bills Are Being Proposed?

The bills that are being proposed address a range of different topics related to medical and recreational marijuana in Florida. It is entirely possible that recreational marijuana usage could be legalized in the future, but at the moment that seems to have a small chance of succeeding. A variety of alternative situations could arise given the range of bills that are being proposed. For example, one bill would  permit the purchase and use of recreational marijuana for people 21 and older, while concurrently not allowing people to grow their own marijuana.

Another proposal is a bill that would allow people to grow their own marijuana. There is also a chance that criminal penalties may be removed or sentencing may be reduced for a marijuana-related crime that occurred in the past. Another option proposed is that a person’s criminal records may be suppressed or expunged so that the person is not unduly affected by a marijuana drug charge for the rest of their lives. Regardless of which bills ultimately become law, Avera & Smith will be closely monitoring everything related to marijuana laws in Florida. We want to make it clear that although medical marijuana is legal in Florida, recreational marijuana is not. If you are charged with a marijuana-related offense and need a criminal defense attorney in Florida, please reach out to us so that we can assist you.

What does the future hold for marijuana in Florida?

It is entirely possible that the cannabis industry may be on the cusp of a simultaneous overhaul and boom. One sign that this could be the case actually occurred as the pandemic unfolded. According to the Tampa Bay Times, although the state of Florida lost 400,000 jobs because of COVID-19, the cannabis industry added 15,000 employees. This is a striking number and may be an indicator that job creation may sway votes or at the very least public opinion. Considering how jobs were decimated all over the country due to the pandemic and people are pivoting towards new endeavors to earn a living, the fact that cannabis could mean significant job growth may be a gamechanger. That being said, there are many variables that could affect growth. One is the red tape that is required to even be able to grow marijuana. 

According to the aforementioned article, only 22 companies have been granted the license needed to dispense marijuana in Florida. If so few companies have this capability, what will a more expanded marijuana industry look like? This potential expansion is a distinct possibility; therefore Florida’s government may need to modify its thinking regarding what companies have access to marijuana dispensation. If jobs are on the line, then the government may feel pressure to please its constituents. In the end, as most things usually do, any decision on medical and recreational marijuana in Florida will come down to politics.

Do You Need to Hire Criminal Defense Attorneys in Florida? Avera & Smith Is Here To Help

Laws that relate to marijuana usage are changing rapidly all over the United States, but remember that each state has its own particular set of rules and regulations. It is crucial that you are cognizant of this so that you know what the possible ramifications are for marijuana possession, as it still remains illegal in Florida. If you are arrested or charged with a marijuana-related offense you may need a criminal defense attorney in Florida. If you encounter any questions related to marijuana charges or laws and you would like to set up a free consultation, please don’t hesitate to call the attorneys at Avera & Smith.