Spring Break in Florida: A Quick Guide to Cannabis Laws & Safety Tips
Whether travelers are heading to Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, or Miami for spring break, it’s important to understand that Florida still maintains strict cannabis laws. Even during peak tourism season, recreational marijuana remains illegal statewide. Knowing the rules—and how enforcement tends to increase during spring break—can help visitors avoid legal trouble and stay safe.
Florida’s Cannabis Laws: What Travelers Must Know
Florida permits medical marijuana only for registered patients with a valid state-issued medical cannabis card. That card must be issued under Florida’s medical program—out-of-state cards are not recognized. For everyone else, recreational possession is still a criminal offense.
Possessing 20 grams or less of cannabis without a medical card is a misdemeanor that can result in arrest, up to a year in jail, probation, and fines. Anything over 20 grams is treated as a felony, which carries far more severe penalties. Concentrates, high-potency products, and edibles are also illegal for recreational use.
Even medical patients face strict limits. Cannabis must be purchased from licensed Florida dispensaries and used only in private, not in public spaces. Patients cannot legally smoke or vape marijuana on beaches, sidewalks, parks, hotel balconies, vehicles, or any place accessible to the public. Federal law prohibits transporting marijuana by air, so travelers should never fly into or out of Florida airports with cannabis—not even with a medical card.
Public Consumption Rules in Florida Cities
Across Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, public consumption crackdowns intensify during spring break. Police in major beach cities often increase patrols and issue citations for smoking or vaping in public. Miami Beach, in particular, has a long history of stricter enforcement during high-traffic weekends, including fines for smoking anything—tobacco or cannabis—in prohibited beach zones.
Tampa’s downtown, Channelside, and Ybor City nightlife districts are also heavily monitored. Fort Lauderdale’s beach strip and its inland canals, lined with rental boats and waterfront bars, routinely see stepped-up enforcement of public consumption and impaired-boating laws.
Travel, Driving, and Boating Considerations
Florida law treats cannabis impairment similarly to alcohol impairment. Operating a car or boat while under the influence can lead to DUI charges, even for medical patients. Having cannabis inside a vehicle can also cause legal issues if it is not in proper, sealed packaging or if officers believe it is being used in the car.
For visitors planning to rent a boat or join a party cruise in Fort Lauderdale or Miami, staying unimpaired is crucial. Florida’s boating-under-the-influence rules apply on all navigable waterways, and enforcement significantly increases during Spring Break.
Hotels, Rentals, and Airbnbs
Most major hotels and vacation rentals in Florida prohibit smoking of any kind inside rooms or on balconies. Some explicitly ban cannabis use entirely, even for medical patients. Before booking, travelers should confirm property rules and avoid assuming that outdoor patios or balconies are acceptable areas for consumption.
Smart & Safe Spring Break Tips
- Use cannabis only if you’re a registered Florida medical patient.
- Never fly with cannabis or take it into restricted venues such as beaches, parks, or nightclubs.
- Avoid public use—choose private, allowed spaces only.
- Stay hydrated, especially when consuming in Florida’s heat.
- If boating or driving, remain sober and let someone else take the wheel.
- Respect local enforcement, which is heightened during spring break in all major Florida cities.
Have a safe and enjoyable trip!