Alachua County, FL Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Possession threshold
- 20 grams or less of cannabis
- Eligibility
- Age 18+, not otherwise under arrest
- First-offense penalty
- $100 fine or 8 hours community service
- Citation cap
- Maximum 3 citations per person
- Applies to
- Unincorporated Alachua County only
- Max default penalty
- $500.00 plus court costs
Summary
Alachua County lets law enforcement issue a civil citation instead of an arrest for adults found with 20 grams or less of cannabis anywhere in the unincorporated county, provided they aren't already being arrested for something else. Chapter 119 makes possession a civil infraction with escalating fines and community-service options rather than an automatic misdemeanor charge.
It shall be a violation of this chapter for any person, 18 years old or older, to be in actual or constructive possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis, provided that the violator is not arrested for any reason at the time of the violation.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 63).
Full Breakdown
03 makes it a civil infraction, not automatically a criminal charge, for anyone 18 or older to be in actual or constructive possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis anywhere within unincorporated Alachua County, so long as the person isn't arrested for any other reason at the time. 04 leaves the choice to the officer's discretion: any law enforcement officer may issue a civil citation under Fla. Stat. Ch. 05. 07. 01, an identical possession amount encountered inside Gainesville or one of the county's other municipalities is handled under state misdemeanor law or that city's own policy rather than this civil-citation program.
Violations & Fines
Under Section 119.06, a first citation costs $100.00 or eight hours of community service; a second costs $150.00 or 12 hours; a third costs $200.00 or 16 hours plus the drug-screening requirement in Section 119.05. Payment or community service is due within 30 days, plus filing fees, costs, and a $10.00 administrative surcharge; failure to comply can bring a default judgment of up to $500.00 plus court costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be arrested for having a small amount of marijuana in unincorporated Alachua County?
How much does a cannabis civil citation cost?
Is there a limit on how many times this civil-citation option is available?
Does this civil citation program apply in Gainesville?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Alachua County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Alachua County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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