Caught With Marijuana in Fort Lauderdale? It Ain’t Legal Yet

Yes, Medical Marijuana will be back on the ballot this November. But, right now if you are caught with it in Fort Lauderdale you have committed a crime. Marijuana is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance, which means that the drug has a high potential for abuse and has no currently accepted medical use. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.03.) The possession for personal use, or manufacture, sale, or distribution of marijuana is a crime in Fort Lauderdale. Marijuana trafficking, and possession or sales of drug paraphernalia is a crime.  Florida imposes a range of penalties  under (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13.) Possession for Personal Use Possessing 20 or fewer grams of marijuana is a first degree misdemeanor. In Fort Lauderdale this is  punishable with up to one year in jail. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(6)(b).) Purchase or possession of more than 20 grams of marijuana is a third degree felony, punishable with up to five years in prison. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(2)(a).) Manufacture and Sale Of Marijuana It is illegal to manufacture  or sell marijuana in Fort Lauderdale.  Penalties vary based on   the amount manufactured or sold. , It also depends on whether the crime was committed in a drug free area, such as a school or church  (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 893.13(1)(c).) Manufacturing, selling, or possessing marijuana with the intent to do so, is a third degree felony, punishable with up to five years in prison. (Fl. Stat. Ann. § 775.082.) Marijuana sale or possession within 1,000 feet of a school (between 6 a.m. and midnight), public recreation area, place of worship, public housing facility, or...