What You Can — and Can’t — Do With Cannabis While Visiting Florida

Florida continues to welcome millions of visitors each year, but when it comes to cannabis, the Sunshine State still operates under a medical-only framework that can surprise out-of-state travelers. With recreational marijuana illegal statewide, understanding the rules is essential for both residents and tourists hoping to avoid legal trouble during their stay.

Medical marijuana in Florida: Cannabis is legal only for qualified medical patients who are registered with the state and approved by a certified physician. Oversight is handled through the Office of Medical Marijuana Use, which manages patient registrations and licensed Medical Marijuana Treatment Centers (MMTCs). To legally purchase THC cannabis, patients must be Florida residents or meet the state’s “seasonal resident” requirements, often referred to as snowbird status.

What this means for tourists: Florida does not generally honor medical marijuana cards from other states. A visitor from a recreational or medical-use state cannot walk into a Florida dispensary and make a legal THC purchase using their home-state card. Seasonal residents may qualify if they can show proof of temporary Florida residency for at least 31 consecutive days per year and documentation tying them to another state, but short-term tourists do not qualify.

Possession and penalties: Under Florida law, possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana is typically charged as a misdemeanor, while possession of more than 20 grams can be treated as a felony. Some cities and counties have adopted civil citation programs for small amounts, but these local policies do not override state law and do not guarantee immunity from arrest. Visitors should not assume enforcement will be relaxed simply because they are in a tourist-heavy area.

Driving and public use: Florida does not set a specific THC limit for driving impairment. Law enforcement evaluates cannabis-related DUI cases based on observed impairment and other evidence. Public consumption—including smoking or vaping—remains illegal and can quickly draw attention in busy areas like beaches, nightlife districts, and hotel zones.

Hemp-derived products: Many tourists encounter hemp-derived THC products such as delta-8 or THC-infused beverages sold outside the medical system. Florida allows hemp products but enforces strict rules on packaging, labeling, and marketing. Enforcement has increased in recent years, and regulations continue to evolve, making these products less predictable from a legal standpoint.

Tips for visitors:

• Do not travel with cannabis across state lines, even if it is legal where you are coming from.
• If you are a Florida medical patient, carry your registry ID and keep products in original, labeled packaging.
• Be cautious with hemp-derived THC products and avoid items that closely mimic high-THC marijuana.
• Avoid public consumption and driving after use.

Until Florida changes its cannabis laws, tourists are best served by treating marijuana as a tightly regulated medical product—not a vacation convenience—and planning their trip accordingly.