You’re looking forward to your sunny Florida vacation — world-class beaches and attractions, Disney World, Universal, Miami, Key West, the Gulf Coast — but then it occurs to you… You can’t buy marijuana in Florida. UGH!
WAIT! Before you go and change your vacation plans, we’ve got a couple of suggestions for you. Read on…
There are two reasons out-of-staters can’t buy marijuana in Florida:
- Possession of marijuana is illegal without a Florida medical marijuana card.
- Your out-of-state medical marijuana card, if you have one, is no good at Florida dispensaries. It will offer you zero legal protection if you get caught with marijuana or any product containing THC.
Florida does not offer MMJ reciprocation…yet
Many U.S. states that issue medical marijuana cards have reciprocity programs. That means that medical marijuana patients from other states can shop at dispensaries in their state. Sadly, Florida is not one of them — at least yet.
While Florida medical marijuana patients are permitted to buy marijuana in many other states, for some reason, the Florida legislature thinks that compassion stops at the border. However, depending on the dates for which your vacation is scheduled, that might change.
There’s a possibility that Florida residents could legalize adult recreational use of marijuana in the 2022 election via a voter initiative. That doesn’t mean it will be available right away. It might be 2023 or even later before Florida recreational marijuana dispensaries open their doors.
But there are a couple of options. And bringing your own marijuana is definitely not one of them.
Do not BYOM!
Bringing marijuana into Florida is a serious no-no. Marijuana is still federally illegal. It’s also probably illegal in some of the states you would have to drive through if you’re coming to Florida such as Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi among others. It would really be terrible to get arrested and have your life turned upside down just before you’re about to have the time of your life.
So if you can’t buy marijuana in Florida, and you can’t bring it with you when you come, what can you do?
Hemp CBD is legal in Florida
If you’re using marijuana for medical purposes, perhaps CBD will hold you over while you’re on vacation. Although CBD doesn’t offer the euphoric experience that the THC in marijuana offers, it can help with a wide array of medical conditions including chronic pain, anxiety, mood disorders, involuntary movement, seizures, and much more.
In fact, CBD is so effective at reducing seizures it has been approved by the FDA for just such a purpose in the form of a drug called Epidiolex. While Epidiolex will cost you a couple of grand a month, things like CBD gummies and vape pens offer the same medicine for a fraction of the price.
Not only can you buy CBD in Florida, you can also buy CBD online and have it delivered to your place of lodging. And if smoking is your thing, high-CBD hemp flower is also available online and at some local smoke shops.
One more thing, decriminalized marijuana…
Many cities in Florida, including Orlando, have decriminalized marijuana. What this means is that, if you do happen to find some marijuana and you get caught with it, instead of being arrested, you’ll get a $100 ticket — at least in Orlando. Just make sure you have less than 20 grams on you at all times!
If that’s your plan, then here are the cities in Florida that have decriminalized marijuana. Plan your vacation for one of these cities:
- Alachua County
- Broward County
- Coca Beach
- Hallandale Beach
- Key West
- Miami Beach
- Miami-Dade County
- Orlando
- Osceola County
- Palm Beach County
- Port Richey
- Tampa
- Volusia County
- West Palm Beach County
The rules are different for each city, so do a little research before you book your trip.
So, you do have some options here. Don’t cancel your Florida vacation just because your medical marijuana card cannot be used until MedCard Reciprocity in Florida has passed, which may be here soon. Bon Voyage!
Interesting related article: “What is Cannabidiol or CBD?“