Palm Beach County, FL Public Conduct: Public Marijuana Use (2026)
Key Facts
- Civil fine
- $100 plus court costs
- Possession threshold
- 20 grams or less
- Alternative
- 10 hours community service
- Citation cap
- 2 per person, ever
- Max if contested
- $500 plus court costs
Summary
Officers may issue a $100 civil citation instead of arresting adults caught with 20 grams or less of marijuana or paraphernalia in unincorporated Palm Beach County, capped at two citations per person.
The following State law misdemeanor violations are declared civil infractions and eligible to receive a civil citation, at the discretion of a law enforcement officer, provided that such violations are not charged in conjunction with any criminal charge: (a) Possession, by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, of marijuana in an amount of twenty (20) grams or less, as set forth in F.S. § 893.13(6)(d), as such may be amended from time to time; and (b) Possession, by a person eighteen (18) years of age or older, of marijuana drug paraphernalia.
Full Breakdown
Palm Beach County's Article IV ordinance lets a law enforcement officer issue a $100 civil citation instead of arresting an adult found with 20 grams or less of marijuana or with marijuana paraphernalia, provided no other criminal charge applies. A cited person can instead complete 10 hours of community service through an approved agency. No one may receive more than two citations under this ordinance. Marijuana possession remains illegal under Florida law: the ordinance only gives officers a civil-citation option, and only in unincorporated Palm Beach County plus any of the county's 39 municipalities that separately elect to adopt it.
Violations & Fines
Missing the citation deadline and skipping community service waives the right to the $100 civil fine; the County Court can enter a default judgment up to $500 plus court costs, and officers keep full discretion to file a criminal charge instead of citing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can police give a ticket instead of arresting me for marijuana in Palm Beach County?
What happens if I don't pay the citation?
Does this apply in West Palm Beach or Boca Raton?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Palm Beach County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Palm Beach County to another location·View the Florida public conduct overview
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