Florida is a state where cannabis is illegal for recreational use, but legal for medical use by qualifying patients. However, some counties and cities in Florida have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, such as civil citations or fines. But which county in Florida has the most weed smokers? You might be surprised by the answer!
Marijuana Statistics in Florida
According to a 2021 report by CFAH, 12% of American adults smoke cannabis, and this percentage has not changed much in recent years. However, this percentage varies by state, and Florida is among the states with the highest rates of cannabis use. In fact, Florida ranks 10th in the nation for marijuana consumption, with 16.6% of adults aged 18 and older reporting past-year use of the substance.
The same report also shows that Florida has the fourth-highest number of medical marijuana patients in the country, with 485,000 registered as of December 2020. This number is expected to grow as more people qualify for the program and access dispensaries across the state. Florida also has the second-highest number of cannabis arrests in the nation, with 40,290 arrests in 2018, accounting for 6.3% of all arrests in the state.
The Most Cannabis-Friendly County in Florida
While cannabis is still illegal for recreational use in Florida, some counties and cities have taken steps to decriminalize possession of small amounts of the plant, or to make it a low-priority for law enforcement. These reforms aim to reduce the harms of criminalization, such as incarceration, fines, and stigma, and to save resources for more serious crimes.
One of the most cannabis-friendly counties in Florida is Miami-Dade County, which approved a plan in 2015 to allow civil citations for possession of up to 20 grams (¾ oz) of cannabis. Persons issued a citation are required to pay a $100 fine or perform two days of community service. Other counties that have adopted similar measures include Broward, Palm Beach, Volusia, Alachua, and Osceola.
However, the county that has the most weed smokers in Florida is not Miami-Dade, but Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys. According to a 2019 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Monroe County has the highest rate of past-month marijuana use among adults aged 18 and older, with 22.2% of the population reporting use of the substance. This is more than double the national average of 10.1%, and higher than any other county in Florida.
Why Monroe County?
There are several possible reasons why Monroe County has such a high rate of cannabis use. One is the tourism industry, which attracts visitors from all over the world, many of whom may enjoy smoking weed while on vacation. Another is the relaxed and laid-back culture of the Florida Keys, which may foster a more tolerant and accepting attitude towards cannabis. A third is the proximity to Cuba and other Caribbean countries, where cannabis is widely available and consumed.
Whatever the reason, Monroe County stands out as the most weed-friendly county in Florida, and perhaps in the entire country. While cannabis is still illegal for recreational use in the state, Monroe County residents and visitors can enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana if they qualify, or face minimal consequences if they are caught with small amounts of the plant. However, they should still be aware of the risks and responsibilities of using cannabis, and respect the laws and regulations of the state and the county.
Conclusion
Florida is a state where cannabis is illegal for recreational use, but legal for medical use by qualifying patients. However, some counties and cities in Florida have enacted reforms to apply lesser penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana, such as civil citations or fines. The county that has the most weed smokers in Florida is Monroe County, which includes the Florida Keys.
Monroe County has the highest rate of past-month marijuana use among adults aged 18 and older, with 22.2% of the population reporting use of the substance. This is more than double the national average of 10.1%, and higher than any other county in Florida.
Monroe County may have such a high rate of cannabis use because of the tourism industry, the relaxed and laid-back culture of the Florida Keys, and the proximity to Cuba and other Caribbean countries. Monroe County stands out as the most weed-friendly county in Florida, and perhaps in the entire country.