Under the Controlled Substance Act, possession and sale of marijuana is illegal and one may face jail time and penalties if found in possession of even a small amount of cannabis. However, numerous states have enacted laws that allow the use of marijuana for medical and/or recreational purposes. US states like Alaska, Oregon, Colorado and Washington have legalized the use, cultivation and even possession of marijuana. However much the state laws say, federal laws still prohibit the use of any form of marijuana. The federal government will only overturn state marijuana laws if they find out that marijuana sale and cultivation benefits any criminal organization. The fact is wherever federal and state law clash, federal law always comes out on top. Although the federal government hasn’t shown any interest in prosecuting small marijuana offences in the states that have legalized marijuana use, that doesn’t mean it couldn’t step in and prosecute anyone who is found cultivating, possessing or using marijuana.

Florida is one of the states that have yet to legalize marijuana use even for medical purposes. In fact, marijuana decriminalization and legalization is still a hot topic with the population divided into equal halves as far as medical marijuana is concerned. However, campaign to legalize medical marijuana in the state is gaining momentum and it won’t be long before people are free to use cannabis to curb pain associated with cancer and other chronic ailments.

Currently, recreational marijuana is still illegal in the state of Florida and one may face huge fines as well as some imprisonment if they are found in possession of even a small amount of marijuana. Florida marijuana laws keep on changing every year thus first time offenders who are found in possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana escapes with lenient punishments. Florida marijuana laws state that possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis is a 3^rd degree misdemeanor that could land subsequent offenders up to 10 years in prison.

Possession of marijuana in excess of 25 lbs. is considered drug trafficking and a 1^st degree felony that could land an offender some serious jail time and huge fines. One could face fines amounting to $25,000 as well as 3 years in prison if they are found in possession of 25 – 2000 lbs. of marijuana while possession of 2,000 – 10,000 lbs. of marijuana could land them 7 years in Jail as well as mandatory fines of up to $50, 000. The State cannabis laws also state that anyone found with over 10,000 lbs. faces 15 years imprisonment as well as mandatory penalties amounting to $200, 000.

As much as marijuana use is illegal in the Sunshine state, an attorney can still defend a person who is found in possession of a small amount of marijuana on medical grounds. In fact, the state of Florida could also send them to rehabilitation centers so that they could quite use of marijuana. However, this does not mean that you can use marijuana in this state since that could land you serious jail time. There is hope that it won’t be long before Florida Cannabis laws are amended and medical marijuana is legalized in this state. The ‘right to try’ law is the latest Florida medical marijuana law to be passed that allow terminally ill Florida resident to have access to alternative treatments such as marijuana use to curb pain.