By Victor J. Rosario | Future Mayor of Miami-Dade County
Introduction: A Policy for the People, Not Against Them
It’s 2025, and while Florida’s cannabis laws have advanced in recent years, they still don’t reflect the reality of our daily lives—especially in places like Miami-Dade County. Too many people—patients, veterans, working professionals, college students—are still being scrutinized, profiled, or arrested for using cannabis peacefully in public spaces.
If you have a medical card, you can use cannabis at home. But what if your “home” is also your favorite spot at the beach, where you go to relax, meditate, manage pain, or simply breathe? What if your condition flares up in the middle of a sunny day, and you're forced to leave your friends, drive home, medicate, then drive back? That’s not just unfair—it’s unsafe, impractical, and disconnected from reality.
As incoming Mayor of Miami-Dade County, I, Victor J. Rosario, am proud to introduce the Public Cannabis Use Legalization & Decriminalization Executive Order—a policy rooted in compassion, fairness, and modern-day awareness.
Highlights of the Order
- Legal Use Zones (LCUZs) established at all public beaches and parks
- Full decriminalization of peaceful recreational use under 28g
- No harassment of medical card holders using cannabis in public
- No arrests for peaceful users—only real threats will be targeted
- Police must ignore peaceful users and focus on fentanyl dealers and violent criminals
- Dedicated record-sealing support and dismissal of pending cannabis charges
A Vision Rooted in Compassion, Clarity, and Control
We’re not going to let outdated fear tactics guide our public policy.
Instead, this Executive Order brings clarity to what people are already doing—smoking responsibly in public spaces—and makes sure that our residents, especially those with medical needs, are protected. This isn’t chaos. This is control, compassion, and clear boundaries.
Just like you have a license to drive, your legal cannabis license means you're trusted to make responsible decisions. And if you don't have a card yet, you won't be criminalized for relaxing at the beach.
Key Features of the Executive Order (Plain English)
Policy Area What It Means for You
Medical Card Use in Public You can now legally smoke cannabis at parks or beaches if you have a Florida card.
No More Arrests If you’re not selling or driving, no more arrests for peaceful recreational use.
Police Priorities Updated Law enforcement must focus on real criminals, not peaceful cannabis users.
\Safe Driving Still Enforced Cannabis-impaired driving is still illegal and enforced.
Past Records Sealed You can apply to seal non-violent cannabis charges.
Pending Charges Cleared All pending cannabis charges under 28g will be dismissed by the county.
Miami-Dade County Office of the Mayor
Executive Order No. 2028-XX (DRAFT)
Title: Public Cannabis Use Legalization & Decriminalization Act of 2028
WHEREAS,
It is the policy of the incoming Mayor to ensure that all residents of Miami-Dade County are treated with dignity, compassion, love, awareness, and fairness, especially those undergoing medical treatment for pain, anxiety, PTSD, or other certified conditions that require access to medical cannabis;
WHEREAS,
The State of Florida currently permits the issuance of medical cannabis licenses and restricts its use to private property, creating impractical burdens for patients, especially when enjoying full-day public activities in parks or beaches;
WHEREAS,
Miami-Dade County has a responsibility to modernize its stance on cannabis use and move away from outdated 20th-century criminalization policies that harm residents, clog the court system, and disproportionately affect communities of color;
WHEREAS,
Residents already consume cannabis in public spaces like beaches and parks, often without incident, and it is unreasonable and unjust to treat peaceful, non-violent users as criminals when they are not causing harm to others or breaking any other law;
WHEREAS,
Law enforcement resources must be directed toward real public safety threats such as fentanyl traffickers, violent crime, and corruption—not toward arresting peaceful cannabis users;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED:
Section 1 – Legal Cannabis Use Zones (LCUZs):
- All Miami-Dade public beaches and parks shall be designated as Legal Cannabis Use Zones (LCUZs) for any adult resident or visitor who possesses a valid Florida medical marijuana license.
- These individuals may consume legal cannabis in smokable or vapable form in designated LCUZs without fear of arrest, citation, or harassment, provided they are not violating any other laws.
- Signage will be installed in LCUZ areas outlining rights and responsibilities of cannabis users, including guidance on safe storage, cleanup, and community respect.
Section 2 – Recreational Use Decriminalization:
- Law enforcement agencies shall deprioritize and decriminalize non-violent recreational cannabis use in public spaces where:
- The user is not operating a motor vehicle,
- The user is not engaged in sales or trafficking,
- The possession is under 28 grams, and
- The behavior does not pose a public safety threat.
- No arrest, detention, or probation shall be issued for peaceful cannabis use under these criteria.
- Recreational cannabis may only be purchased at state-licensed dispensaries. Unauthorized sales or street vending remain prohibited.
Section 3 – Driving Under Influence Protections:
- This order does not permit cannabis-impaired driving.
- DUI laws shall remain strictly enforced where clear impairment is observed.
Section 4 – Law Enforcement Directive:
- Police chiefs and officers must complete updated cannabis policy training.
- Harassment, profiling, or wrongful arrests of peaceful cannabis users will result in disciplinary action.
- Officers must focus their resources on real threats: fentanyl, firearms, human trafficking, and organized crime.
Section 5 – Immediate Dismissal of Pending Charges:
- Upon the signing of this Executive Order, all pending non-violent cannabis-related charges involving possession under 28 grams shall be dismissed by the Miami-Dade County court system.
- This includes active warrants, pre-trial cases, and open citations for public consumption or possession.
- The Clerk of Courts and State Attorney shall implement a bulk clearance process within 30 days of the EO's activation.
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This Executive Order shall take effect on the first day of Mayor Victor J. Rosario’s administration in 2028.
SIGNED: Victor J. Rosario Mayor, Miami-Dade County Date: ____________ Future Mayor of Miami-Dade County
🟦 MIAMI-DADE COUNTY OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
MEMORANDUM
TO: All Police Chiefs of the 34 Municipalities and the Miami-Dade Police Department FROM: Mayor Victor J. Rosario (Incoming, 2028) DATE: [Insert Finalized Date After Inauguration] SUBJECT: Implementation of Executive Order No. 2028-XX – Public Cannabis Use Legalization & Decriminalization Act
🛑 PURPOSE:
This memo outlines the official policy changes mandated by Executive Order No. 2028-XX, which legalizes public medical cannabis use in designated zones and decriminalizes peaceful recreational cannabis possession and consumption across Miami-Dade County. The policy becomes effective on the first day of my administration in 2028.
This memorandum serves as your formal directive to implement the order without delay.
✅ MANDATES FOR COMPLIANCE
All police departments and municipal officers are required to:
- Cease arrests, detentions, or citations for adults consuming legal cannabis in public beaches and parks if they:
- Possess a valid Florida medical marijuana card, or
- Are using recreational cannabis in a peaceful, non-disruptive manner under 28 grams.
- Designate all public beaches and parks in your jurisdiction as Legal Cannabis Use Zones (LCUZs) and coordinate with County Services to install proper signage.
- Disengage and deprioritize enforcement for all non-violent cannabis-related behavior in public settings where:
- There is no driving impairment,
- No criminal distribution or street vending is present,
- No behavior constitutes a public nuisance or threat to others.
- Continue to fully enforce DUI and trafficking laws, and any public safety risks involving disorderly conduct or child endangerment.
🚨 DISCIPLINARY NOTICE
Any officer who violates this Executive Order by:
- Harassing peaceful users,
- Making unlawful arrests,
- Profiling individuals solely based on cannabis odor or possession under 28 grams,
will be subject to administrative review and disciplinary action. Your department must issue an internal compliance bulletin and complete updated officer training by [Insert EO Effective Date].
🎯 PRIORITIZATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT
Effective immediately, law enforcement resources must be redirected to critical public safety threats, including:
- Fentanyl manufacturing and distribution,
- Human trafficking and organized criminal activity,
- Firearms trafficking and violent gang-related crime,
- Corruption in government and law enforcement ranks.
Your duty is to protect, not penalize peaceful residents. This Executive Order reflects our values:
Compassion. Love. Awareness. Fairness. Justice.
📂 RECORD SEALING SUPPORT
Your department will be responsible for:
- Referring non-violent cannabis offenders to the Countywide Record Sealing Program,
- Cooperating with the Mayor’s Cannabis Justice Task Force,
- Assisting with expungement and record reviews as required.
Instructions will be issued through the Miami-Dade County Criminal Justice Coordination Office.
🔓 SECTION 5 – Immediate Clearance of Pending Charges
Upon the signing and activation of this Executive Order, all pending non-violent cannabis-related charges under 28 grams—filed before 2028—shall be dismissed immediately by the Miami-Dade County court system.
- The State Attorney’s Office and Clerk of Courts will be directed to process bulk dismissal of these cases without further delay.
- Police departments must ensure they do not pursue enforcement actions on any cases eligible for dismissal.
- No probation violations or active bench warrants shall remain in force for qualifying cannabis cases.
This is not just about stopping future harm—it’s about undoing the damage of the past.
🟢 IN CLOSING:
We are restoring sanity to cannabis enforcement. Your department must uphold this policy not only as law but as a public trust.
We are here to protect our communities, not persecute them for healing.
SIGNED: Victor J. Rosario Candidate Mayor, Miami-Dade County Effective First Day in Office, 2028
What If I Don’t Have a Medical Card?
That’s okay.
While we encourage everyone who needs cannabis for health reasons to get licensed through the state, this order protects you from being arrested or harassed for smoking small, non-trafficking amounts of cannabis in public parks or beaches, as long as you’re:
- Not selling it
- Not driving under the influence
- Not disturbing the peace
You're simply being human—relaxing at the beach, unwinding after work, or managing anxiety in a peaceful way.
Why Beaches and Parks?
Because those are your community spaces.
If you’re a medical patient or a peaceful adult, you shouldn’t be forced to leave the beach, drive home to medicate, then return. That’s illogical, unsafe, and out of step with how our city works.
This Executive Order affirms that:
"The beach is your home, too."
Just like your couch. Just like your balcony. Your medical needs follow you wherever you go.
Common Sense Cannabis Policy FAQs
Q: Can I smoke cannabis at the beach with a Florida medical marijuana card? A: Yes. All Miami-Dade County beaches and parks are now designated Legal Cannabis Use Zones (LCUZs).
Q: What if I don’t have a medical license? A: If you are not selling, trafficking, or driving under the influence, you will not be arrested or detained for peaceful, recreational use under 28 grams.
Q: Will cops harass me for smoking at the park? A: No. Police officers are ordered to leave peaceful users alone. Any officer who violates this may be disciplined.
Q: Can I sell cannabis on the street? A: No. This EO does not legalize recreational vending. Only licensed dispensaries are permitted.
Q: Will I get my record expunged? A: If you have a non-violent cannabis charge, the Mayor’s office will assist you in sealing it.
Q: What about charges I’m currently facing? A: All pending charges under 28g will be dismissed automatically once this EO is signed.
Sealing Records and Clearing the Path Forward
For far too long, residents of Miami-Dade County have faced criminal charges for carrying a few grams of cannabis—charges that follow them into job applications, housing applications, and background checks. Under my Executive Order, that ends.
🔓 If you have a pending cannabis charge under 28 grams, it will be cleared.
We’re not just writing new laws—we're undoing old injustices. My office is working directly with the Clerk of Courts and the State Attorney to ensure that every eligible case is dismissed automatically, without you having to lift a finger.
This Executive Order is for those who obey the law, take care of their health, and deserve to live in peace.
Final Thoughts: A New Era of Sanity and Fairness
We’re not going to spend another decade policing beachgoers for cannabis while fentanyl, fraud, and trafficking go unchecked. We’re going to put our priorities where they belong.
If you're using cannabis responsibly—we see you. We respect you. And we’re not going to criminalize you anymore.
This is Miami-Dade County under new leadership.
One that leads with:
Compassion. Love. Awareness. Fairness. Justice.
The beach is your home, too.
Victor J. Rosario Candidate Mayor of Miami-Dade County 2028
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About Victor J. Rosario
Victor J. Rosario is the Residents-First candidate for Miami-Dade County Mayor 2028. A U.S. Coast Guard veteran, entrepreneur, technologist, and artist, Victor brings a track record of building real solutions — from AI tools to campaign policy — that serve Miami-Dade's 2.8 million residents.
Learn More About Victor