Understanding Florida’s 2023 Legislation on Recreational Marijuana Legalization

The year 2023 has seen significant legislative developments in Florida regarding the legalization of recreational marijuana. Key bills and statutes have been introduced and amended to reshape the landscape of marijuana use in the state.

Senate Bill 1576, introduced by Senator Torres, is a pivotal piece of legislation in this context. It aims to legalize recreational marijuana, establishing the Division of Cannabis Management under the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. This bill specifically authorizes individuals who are 21 years of age and older to engage in various activities related to marijuana. It also outlines provisions for the licensing of marijuana establishments, including those selling food containing marijuana, which will be considered food establishments under this bill. For more details, see the full bill text here.

Another important bill is House Bill 467 from the 2022 legislative session, which also focuses on the legalization of recreational marijuana. This bill authorizes persons aged 21 and over for personal use of marijuana in limited amounts and provides for the licensure of marijuana establishments. It also specifies the limits on the number of certain marijuana establishments in localities. The full text of this bill can be found here.

In addition to these, the 2023 Florida Statutes, specifically Section 986, address the medical use of marijuana. This statute includes provisions related to attractive packaging for children, informed consent acknowledging the negative health risks associated with smoking marijuana, and the risks, benefits, and drug interactions of marijuana. The complete statute is available for review here.

Senate Bill 530, effective from July 1, 2023, is another significant piece of legislation. It repeals provisions related to the preemption of the regulation of tobacco and nicotine products. More information about this bill can be found here.

Furthermore, the Florida Board of Medicine has introduced new practice standards related to smoking marijuana for medical use, effective from July 13, 2021. These standards apply to all physicians authorized to issue a certification for the medical use of marijuana in a form for smoking. Further details on these standards are available here.

These legislative efforts reflect a significant shift in the approach to marijuana in Florida, moving towards a more regulated and legalized framework, especially for recreational use.