Cannabis in Florida: Medical Marijuana and What Tourists Need to Know

Florida is one of the most popular US destinations for British tourists — Miami, Orlando, Tampa, the Keys. What many do not realise: Florida operates a medical-cannabis-only system. Recreational use is illegal, and a ballot measure in November 2024 to legalise it fell just short of the required 60% supermajority threshold.

Medical Only — No Recreational Market in Florida

Florida legalised medical cannabis in 2016 with Amendment 2. Since then the market has expanded — to over 800,000 registered patients and more than 650 dispensary locations statewide. However, without a valid Florida Medical Marijuana Card, you cannot make a purchase. As a tourist without a card, there is no legal way to buy cannabis in Florida.

Why Did Amendment 3 Fail in November 2024?

Amendment 3 to legalise recreational cannabis received approximately 56-57% of the vote in November 2024 — not enough to clear Florida's 60% supermajority requirement for constitutional amendments. Strong opposition from the Republican Party, religious groups and parts of the medical lobby blocked legalisation. The earliest a fresh attempt could appear on the ballot is 2026.

What Does This Mean for Tourists?

Nothing changes in the short to medium term. Florida remains a medical-only state. As a foreign tourist without Florida residency and a qualifying physician visit, there is no legal route to cannabis.

As a Tourist in Florida: What Is Not Possible

• Purchasing cannabis from a Florida dispensary (medical patients with a FL card only)
• Using a medical card from another US state (no reciprocity in Florida)
• Using a UK prescription (not valid in the USA)
• Buying CBD products with THC content (medical-only products)
• Public consumption (illegal, risk of arrest)

What Tourists Can Legally Buy in Florida

CBD products containing less than 0.3% THC are legal at the federal level and are available in Florida at supermarkets, pharmacies and specialist CBD shops. This is not a substitute for THC cannabis, but for CBD-inclined visitors it is a legal option.

• CBD oils and drops: available at Walmart, CVS, Walgreens
• CBD gummies: widely available
• CBD cosmetics: pharmacies and beauty stores
• Hemp products: legal, and generally permitted for travel back to the UK in original packaging

Disney World, Universal and Theme Parks: Strict No-Cannabis Policies

All major theme parks in Florida operate strict no-cannabis policies — both on site and in affiliated hotels. This includes CBD vapes. Violations can result in removal from the park and a permanent ban.

Looking Ahead: When Could Recreational Cannabis Come to Florida?

Following the narrow defeat in 2024, campaigners are already preparing a fresh attempt for 2026. Should the 60% threshold be reached, Florida would become the most populous recreational cannabis state in the USA. With 22 million residents and 130 million annual visitors, the market potential would exceed every other state.

For the full picture on US cannabis laws, see our US Cannabis Guide for Tourists and US Cannabis Laws State by State. Also worth reading: our California Cannabis Guide.