South Florida’s cannabis landscape in 2025 remains medical-only at the state level, with adult-use legalization failing to clear the 60% supermajority on the November 2024 ballot (Amendment 3). As a result, residents and visitors in Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties must follow Florida’s medical framework and each city’s public-consumption rules—especially along high-traffic corridors like Collins Avenue in Miami Beach.
What’s legal statewide
Florida permits medical marijuana for qualified patients who are registered with the Office of Medical Marijuana Use (OMMU) and who purchase from licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). State law and OMMU rules set supply limits: up to 2.5 ounces of smokable flower per rolling 35-day period, plus route-specific 70-day THC caps (for example, 24,500 mg for inhalation/vape and 4,200 mg for edibles). Physicians can request exceptions case-by-case; otherwise a 4-ounce possession cap applies to smokable flower at any given time. These guidelines help ensure consistency and compliance across the state.
What’s illegal statewide
Recreational possession and use remain unlawful. Driving or being in “actual physical control” of a vehicle while impaired by marijuana is treated the same as an alcohol-related DUI, with penalties that can include fines, license suspension, and even jail time. Campaigns such as “Drive Baked, Get Busted” remind both patients and the general public that medical status is not a defense to impaired driving.
Local rules that matter in South Florida—and on Collins Avenue
Public consumption is broadly prohibited throughout Florida. Miami Beach, in particular, bans smoking on public beaches and in parks and explicitly includes marijuana in its list of prohibited substances for public use. On or near the Collins Avenue hotel strip, patients should medicate only on private property where the owner expressly allows it. Many hotels and vacation rentals prohibit smoking of any kind, cannabis included.
Enforcement nuances
Miami-Dade County has historically allowed officers to issue civil citations for possession of small amounts, but the City of Miami Beach has removed its civil-citation option for marijuana. This means that assuming “it’s just a ticket” on the beach can be a costly mistake. For visitors and locals alike, it is crucial to verify city-specific ordinances before carrying or consuming cannabis in public.
Hemp and “Delta” products
Florida also regulates hemp separately, with a licensing system for cultivation. Lawmakers continue to debate potency limits for retail hemp products, with proposals that would cap THC at 2 mg per serving and 20 mg per container. Regardless of whether the product is hemp-derived or cannabis-derived, local smoking and public consumption bans still apply.
Why this matters
Understanding the rules is essential for protecting patients, avoiding legal trouble, and supporting responsible cannabis use. For residents, compliance ensures access to medicine without jeopardizing future reforms. For visitors, the safest approach is simple: use cannabis only if you are a registered patient, purchase exclusively from licensed MMTCs, carry only what your recommendation allows, never consume in public or on the beach, and never drive impaired. These steps are particularly critical in high-visibility areas such as Collins Avenue, where enforcement is strict and public exposure is high.
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