Marijuana Trafficking

While many states have relaxed marijuana laws, Florida has not. Marijuana trafficking still carries severe mandatory minimum prison sentences, which depend on the number of plants or amount of marijuana involved.

Trafficking marijuana is still considered a serious crime in the Florida criminal justice system and can result in lengthy mandatory minimum prison sentences.  A successful defense against any marijuana trafficking charge requires someone with in-depth knowledge of the Florida justice system and marijuana trafficking laws.

Attorneys for  Marijuana Trafficking in West Palm Beach, FL

If you have been arrested for marijuana trafficking in West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Wellington, or Jupiter, take the crucial first step of your Palm Beach County marijuana trafficking defense strategy and immediately contact Meltzer & Bell, P.A..

Our skilled and knowledgeable West Palm Beach marijuana trafficking defense lawyers have over two decades of combined experience helping clients like you. To learn more about what Meltzer & Bell, P.A. can do for your marijuana trafficking case in Palm Beach County, call (561) 557-8686 today to schedule your initial case consultation free of charge.


Overview of Marijuana Trafficking Charges in Florida


Back to top

Marijuana Trafficking Charges in Palm Beach County

Marijuana Trafficking Lawyer

Marijuana trafficking is covered by Fla. Stat. § 893.13 which bans the sale, manufacture, delivery; or possession with intent to sell, manufacture, or deliver marijuana. Marijuana, or “cannabis” as it is referred to in the Florida statutes, is banned as a “controlled substance” by Fla. Stat. § 893.03(1)(c). Trafficking in any form, or possession with intent to distribute, can result in a third-degree felony conviction under Fla. Stat. § 893.13(1)(a). If convicted of marijuana trafficking as a third-degree felony you face:

  • Up to five years in prison; and/or
  • Up to $5,000 in fines.

Fla. Stat. § 893.135 makes it a first-degree felony to knowingly sell, purchase, manufacture, deliver, bring into Florida, or to knowingly be in actual or constructive possession of more than 25 pounds of cannabis, or 300 or more cannabis plants. A first-degree felony conviction for marijuana trafficking can lead to:

  • Up to 30 years in prison; and/or
  • Up to $10,000 in fines.

Back to top

Mandatory Minimum Penalties for Marijuana Trafficking in Palm Beach

Harsh mandatory minimum sentencing penalties apply in these cases, and the severity varies depending on the amount of marijuana.

If the amount involved is between 25 and 2,000 pounds, or 300-2,000 plants, the mandatory minimum penalties are:

  • Three years in prison; and/or
  • $25,000 in fines.

If the amount of marijuana involved is 2,000 pounds or more but less than 10,000 pounds, or is 2,000 or more plants but not more than 10,000 plants, the mandatory minimum penalties are:

  • Seven years in prison; and/or
  • $50,000 in fines.

If the amount of marijuana involved is 10,000 or more pounds or individual plants, the mandatory minimum penalties are:

  • 15 years in prison; and/or
  • $200,000 in fines.

For purposes of determining the number of “plants” involved, Fla. Stat. § 893.135(1)(a) defines a “plant” as including, but not limited to, seedlings and cuttings. It is counted as a separate individual “cannabis plant” under Florida law if it has some readily observable evidence of root formation, such as root hairs.

For a piece or part of a cannabis plant severed from another cannabis plant to count as a separate cannabis plant, the severed piece or part must have some readily observable evidence of root formation, such as root hairs. Other factors, such as the viability and sex of a plant and whether a plant may or may not be a dead harvested plant are not relevant to the determination of whether a “cannabis plant” counts as a separate plant.


Back to top

Florida Resources for Marijuana Trafficking

Regulate Florida — This group has a mission to create a practical and enforceable framework for adult use of marijuana. On the website, you can learn more about the organization, its Board of Directors, and ways to get involved. You can also download petitions.

United for Care — This campaign is run by People United for Medical Marijuana (PUFMM). You can get facts, find stories of care, and learn answers to frequently asked questions on this website. There are also sections dedicated to news, videos, and a calendar of upcoming events.

Florida NORML Chapters — The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is an American non-profit organization. This website lists the different chapters the organization has in Florida. You can learn more about current legal issues, news releases, and ways to take action.


Back to top

Finding a Marijuana Trafficking Defense Attorney in West Palm Beach

If you have been arrested for marijuana trafficking anywhere in Palm Beach County, including Palm Beach Gardens, Greenacres, Lake Worth, Royal Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, or any surrounding areas, contact Meltzer & Bell, P.A. If you are considering the assistance of an attorney as a part of your defense strategy against marijuana trafficking charges in the West Palm Beach area, it is best to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at the first chance after you are arrested.

Lawrence Meltzer is a former felony special unit prosecutor and Steven Bell is a former major crimes public defender. Your first consultation with Meltzer & Bell, P.A. is free, so call (561) 557-8686 today and schedule your appointment.


This article was last updated on Monday, October 24, 2016.


  • Law Firm 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms In the U.S - 2017 Honoree
    Meltzer & Bell, P.A. was an honaree for the Fastest Growing Law Firm In the U.S. award in 2017.
  • National College for DUI Defense
    The NCDD is a professional, non-profit corporation dedicated to the improvement of the criminal defense bar, and to the dissemination of information to the public about drunk driving law and related issues.
  • Broward Association of Criminal Defense lawyers
    BACDL's mission is to assist, support, and strengthen the Broward County criminal defense practitioner in the zealous defense of individuals and their Constitutional rights.
  • Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    Promoting excellence and integrity in the practice of criminal law.
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
    NACDL is an American criminal defense organization. Members include private criminal defense lawyers, public defenders, active U.S. military defense counsel, judges and more.
  • National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
    NORML is an American non-profit organization based in Washington, DC whose aim is to achieve the legalization of non-medical marijuana in the United States.
  • DUI Defense Lawyers Association
    The DDLA was founded on principles of democracy, transparency, and freedom of speech. We provide support, resources and education to the top DUI attorneys nationwide.
  • Better Business Bureau
    The BBB, founded in 1912, is a private, nonprofit organization whose self-described mission is to focus on advancing marketplace trust.
  • Law Firm 500 Fastest Growing Law Firms In the U.S - 2017 Honoree
  • National College for DUI Defense
  • Broward Association of Criminal Defense lawyers
  • Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
  • DUI Defense Lawyers Association
  • Better Business Bureau

    Contact Us Now

    Call (561) 557-8686 or complete the form. Phones answered 24/7. Most form responses within 5 minutes during business hours, and 15-20 minutes during evenings and weekends.

    100% Secure & Confidential