Lawmakers in Key West, Florida Unanimously Approve Cannabis Decriminalization Measure

marijuana card

Lawmakers in Key West, Florida Unanimously Approve Cannabis Decriminalization Measure

An aerial view of Key West, Florida.

An aerial view of Key West, Florida.

The Key West, Florida City Commission has voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would establish an $100 ticket for the possession of up to 20 grams of cannabis. Similar proposals were approved recently in Miami-Dade, Florida’s largest county, and in Miami Beach.

Under the proposed ordinance, which will be given one final vote on September 1st before becoming law, police will have the option of issuing a $100 fine to those caught possessing no more than 20 grams of cannabis, rather than arresting and prosecuting them. Under current law, the possession of up to 20 grams of cannabis is a guaranteed misdemeanor which can result in a year-long prison sentence.

The proposal is expected to save the city tens of thousands of dollars in reduced enforcement costs.


Delta Extrax


With a population of just over 25,000, Key West is Florida’s southernmost point.

TheJointBlog

10 Comments

  • surestroke
    August 19, 2015

    Thought they were mostly worried about polar bears wading through their yards..

  • moldy
    August 20, 2015

    That’s good news. A few years ago they were shutting down head shops and trying to move away from the cannabis scene/mantra.

  • Carlos Yaniz
    August 20, 2015

    What happens to the weed?
    Does one get to keep it?

    • Anonymous
      August 20, 2015

      One can only hope 🙂

    • Anonymous
      August 23, 2015

      If they take ot theresanother reason not to carry very much.

  • Jeff Brown
    August 20, 2015

    cannabis is the most useful plant on the planet. food, clothing, shelter, energy, medicine, insight, re-creation. any law against it is a crime against humanity

  • Mobowhntr59
    August 21, 2015

    I had hoped that they would have passed the medical use of weed as I am disabled with numerous physical ailments requiring strong medications just to do ADL’s. I am tired and rarely sleep, 1-2 hrs nite! It would be great to have some on hand for sleep issues as well as potential weaning off other meds. I have seriously thought of moving to Colorado. If it is possible to keep if caught(key word IF) I would be moving to Key West asap. I am currently in panhandle area.

  • Thomas Baier
    August 22, 2015

    They should pass that law in all of Florida.. Prison is for rapeist,robbery, violent people etc…not for little bit of weed,or driving on a suspended license,..

  • CJ
    September 6, 2015

    they need to find a better word than DECRIMINALIZED for when cops can still harass you.. still violate your 4th amendment.. still seize your assets.. all while STILL denying us access to cannabis..

    because until cannabis IS LEGAL we are all still criminals.. the FACT that they are trying to find the LEAST IMPACTIVE PENALTY proves they do NOT have our best interest in mind.

    • Katie
      January 14, 2016

      Do you live down here or know Anyone who does and has access to some??

Post a Comment