Miami Beach, Florida – In anticipation of the upcoming spring break season, Miami Beach commissioners have made a move to tighten marijuana laws within the city. The commission recently voted to eliminate the optional civil penalty that had been in place for individuals found with 20 grams or less of marijuana. This decision was made in an effort to crack down on reckless behavior and create stricter consequences, effectively putting an end to the anything-goes party atmosphere.
Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who sponsored the change, expressed his support for the decision, stating, “We’re shutting the door on Spring Break, re-criminalizing marijuana and imposing our strictest consequences for reckless behavior.” The commission believed that the optional $100 civil penalty had not effectively discouraged public marijuana use. Despite its implementation eight years ago, police reported minimal civil citations in lieu of arrests.
It is worth noting that Miami Beach is the only city in Miami-Dade County that prosecutes its own criminal ordinance violations. The act of smoking marijuana in public in Miami Beach carries a criminal penalty of up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine. Mayor Steven Meiner emphasized the importance of enforcing laws and maintaining a sense of order within the city, stating, “The optional $100 civil penalty didn’t deter public marijuana use. Instead, people were emboldened to disregard our laws. Miami Beach enforces its laws reinforcing our commitment as a law and order city.”
These efforts to tighten marijuana laws coincide with the city’s crackdown on rowdy spring breakers. Miami Beach officials have implemented what they consider to be the toughest safety measures ever in order to manage the influx of visitors.
As Miami Beach prepares for the upcoming spring break season, local commissioners have taken action to crack down on marijuana possession. By removing the optional civil penalty for individuals caught with 20 grams or less of marijuana, the city aims to put an end to reckless behavior and the anything-goes party atmosphere. Despite the limited effectiveness of the previous penalty, Miami Beach is ready to enforce its laws and maintain order within the city. In conjunction with these efforts, the city has also implemented stronger safety measures to handle the influx of spring break visitors. With these changes in place, Miami Beach hopes to create a safer and more regulated environment for both residents and tourists alike.