Cocoa, FL Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Applies to
- possession of 20g or less cannabis, paraphernalia
- Eligibility
- age 18+, no felony/DUI/DV/violent charge
- Max citations per person
- 3
- 1st offense
- $150 fine or 15 hrs community service
- 3rd offense
- $500 fine + STEPS treatment program
- Appeal window
- 10 business days to special magistrate
Summary
Cocoa lets police issue a civil citation instead of a criminal charge to anyone 18 or older caught with 20 grams or less of cannabis or with drug paraphernalia, so long as no felony, DUI, domestic violence or violent crime is also charged. Fines escalate from $150 to $500 over three violations.
The following misdemeanors under state law are eligible to receive a civil violation notice under this article, at the discretion of a law enforcement officer: (1)Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis, as set forth in F.S. § 893.13(6)(b), as such may be amended from time to time; and/or(2)Possession of drug paraphernalia, as set forth in F.S. §§ 893.146 and 893.147(1)(b), as such may be amended from time to time. ... For the first violation, the violator shall pay $150.00, or elect to perform 15 hours of community service to be performed at the Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County or such other community service charitable organization designated by the city council by resolution.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 17).
Full Breakdown
S. S. 147(1)(b). Section 14-213 limits the diversion to adults 18 or older, bars its use when the incident also involves a felony, DUI, domestic violence or violent crime charge, and caps a single person at three civil notices total. Section 14-214 tiers the consequence: a first violation costs $150 or 15 hours of community service at Habitat for Humanity of Brevard County; a second costs $300 or 30 hours; a third costs $500 plus mandatory attendance at an outpatient program through Brevard's STEPS treatment provider, which keeps a $350 program fee out of that $500.
The city police department enforces the article under Section 14-215, and a recipient has ten business days to pay, perform the service, or request a hearing before a special magistrate, the city's code enforcement board or an attorney the city manager designates, per Sections 14-216 through 14-218. Seized cannabis is held as evidence and destroyed afterward under Section 14-219, and collected fines, after administrative costs, fund the city's drug abuse awareness and prevention programs. The article was enacted by Ordinance No. 23-2019, Section 2, adopted December 11, 2019.
Violations & Fines
Failing to pay a marijuana civil citation, perform the community service, or request a hearing within ten business days lets Cocoa deny the violator further civil citations, record a judgment for unpaid fines, or send the case to the state attorney's office for criminal prosecution instead. Missing the STEPS treatment program after a third citation can also trigger referral for prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cocoa police issue a ticket instead of arresting someone for a small amount of marijuana?
How much does a Cocoa marijuana civil citation cost?
What happens if someone ignores a Cocoa marijuana civil citation?
How many times can someone use Cocoa's civil citation option for marijuana possession?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Cocoa
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Cocoa to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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Public Marijuana Use in Nearby Cities
How other cities in Brevard County handle public marijuana use.