WRE News: Miami Beach Moves to Repeal Marijuana Decriminalization Ordinance

Miami Beach, FL – February 3, 2024 – In a surprising move, Miami Beach City Commission voted 4-3 to repeal a 2015 ordinance allowing civil citations for possession of 20 grams or less of marijuana. Commissioner Alex Fernandez, who proposed the change, argued that maintaining decriminalization sends the wrong message, emphasizing the need for responsible marijuana use confined to private spaces. The decision comes amidst complaints about the odor of marijuana in public parks, with proponents stating it’s a step towards shedding the city’s party town image. The move contradicts the 2019 decision by Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office to stop prosecuting minor marijuana possession, citing the difficulty in distinguishing between hemp and marijuana after the legalization of hemp. The final vote on the proposal is scheduled for later this month.