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More than 1.2 million adult soccer fans from 48 nations attending FIFA World Cup games will have an opportunity to purchase and smoke marijuana without penalty or fear of arrest.
Host nations Canada and the United States feature cannabis legalization opportunities for adults 21 years old and up. (Mexico not so much). Illicit Gardens, a cannabis dispensary in Secaucus, notes its location rests “squarely inside the World Cup footprint during a tournament that will bring millions of visitors from foreign countries……For those visitors, walking into a licensed dispensary next to MetLife Stadium is a first, and for the New Jersey cannabis market, the World Cup is an audience it has never had.”
Here’s a thumbnail sketch of cannabis laws connected to U.S. cities, Canada, and Mexico.
ATLANTA — Possession of one ounce or less of marijuana is decriminalized, resulting in a fine of up to $75 with no jail time or criminal record. However, this local policy does not override strict state laws; recreational cannabis remains illegal statewide, and possession of more than one ounce is a felony.
BOSTON — In Boston, adults 21 and older can legally purchase, possess, and consume recreational marijuana. Adults can legally carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana on their person, of which up to 5 grams can be in the form of concentrate. You can store up to 10 ounces of marijuana and any cannabis produced by your legally grown plants at home. Any amount over 1 ounce must be kept securely locked up.
DALLAS — Recreational cannabis is entirely illegal in Texas, and strict statewide criminal penalties apply for possession, distribution, and cultivation. Up to 2 ounces lists as a Class B misdemeanor (up to 180 days in jail and up to a $2,000 fine). Penalties increase with larger amounts.
HOUSTON — Same as above. While state law prohibits possession, the City of Houston and Harris County utilize a cite-and-release and diversion program for first-time minor offenders. Additionally, the Houston Police Department’s policy generally limits local enforcement and arrests for possession of small amounts of cannabis (under two ounces). However, this does not apply to other law enforcement agencies in the area, such as the Sheriff’s Office or State Troopers.
KANSAS CITY — Recreational and medical marijuana are legal in Kansas City, Missouri, for adults 21 and older. Consumers can purchase and possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis, but open public consumption and driving under the influence remain illegal. You cannot consume marijuana products in public spaces, including bars, parks, and sidewalks. It is only legally permitted on private property.
LOS ANGELES — In Los Angeles, adults 21 and older can legally possess up to 28.5 grams of flower and 8 grams of concentrate. You can consume cannabis on private property, but public consumption and driving under the influence are illegal. All commercial operations must be licensed by both the state and the city. Adults can buy up to 1 ounce of cannabis flower and up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis per day.
MIAMI — Recreational marijuana is illegal in Miami and throughout Florida, while medical cannabis is strictly regulated and only permitted for qualified state residents. Tourists and out-of-state visitors cannot purchase or possess medical marijuana legally, as the program requires a valid Florida ID. Considered a first-degree misdemeanor under state law, punishable by up to 1 year in jail and a $1000 fine. In Miami-Dade County, officers may issue a $100 civil citation instead of arresting you, but this is at the officer’s discretion. Over 20 grams considered a third degree felony. Potentially 5 years imprisonment and $5,000 fine.
NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY — Adults 21-years old in NYC can legally possess up to 3 ounces of cannabis flower and 24 grams of concentrated cannabis (like edibles or oils). Public consumption is permitted in most areas where tobacco smoking is allowed, and retail sales are restricted to state-licensed dispensaries. Generally, cannabis can be consumed wherever smoking tobacco is allowed, but it is prohibited in vehicles, workplaces, schools, and federal property.
New Jersey marijuana laws allow adults 21 and older to legally purchase and possess cannabis, governed primarily by the CREAMM Act. You can buy up to 1 ounce of flower or 4 grams of concentrates per transaction, and legally possess up to 6 ounces. Home cultivation remains illegal, and public consumption is prohibited.
PHILADELPHIA — Recreational marijuana is not fully legal in Pennsylvania, but the City of Brotherly Love has decriminalized the possession of small amounts of cannabis. While illegal statewide, possessing or smoking up to 30 grams (about 1 ounce) in Philly is treated as a civil violation rather than a criminal offense. Possessing 30 grams or less is not an arrestable offense. It results in a civil violation notice (CVN) and a $25 fine.
SAN FRANCISCO — Adults 21 and older can legally purchase and possess up to 1 ounce (28.5 grams) of cannabis flower and up to 8 grams of concentrated cannabis. Consumption is permitted in private residences or at state-licensed cannabis lounges, but it is strictly prohibited in public spaces and on federal lands.
SEATTLE — Recreational and medical marijuana are legal for adults aged 21 and older. You can purchase and possess up to 1 ounce of flower, 16 ounces of solid edibles, 72 ounces of liquids, or 7 grams of concentrate. All cannabis must be bought from licensed retailers.
CANADA — Recreational and medical marijuana are legal nationwide in Canada under the Cannabis Act. Adults are permitted to possess up to 30 grams of dried cannabis in public and cultivate up to four plants per household for personal use.
MEXICO — In a strange situation, cannabis is in a legal gray area in Mexico City: personal use and possession of up to 28 grams are decriminalized, but all commercial sales and public consumption remain strictly illegal. You cannot legally buy cannabis, and consuming it in public can lead to police extortion or arrest.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report
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