As marijuana arrests become less common in Miami-Dade, one city’s approach stands out

In Miami-Dade County, marijuana arrests for minor possession have become increasingly rare since State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle's decision in 2019 to stop prosecuting such cases. Nonetheless, over 4,200 individuals have been arrested on misdemeanor charges in the past five years, indicating a persistent enforcement issue. Particularly, the Miami Beach Police Department stands out for its stringent approach, recording more misdemeanor marijuana arrests than any other department aside from the Miami-Dade Police Department, despite having a significantly smaller force. Bobby Hernandez, president of the Miami Beach Fraternal Order of Police, emphasized that these arrests are crucial for maintaining the city's "law and order" image, allowing officials to tackle drug use effectively. The city’s strategy aligns with efforts to shift South Beach’s reputation from a party hub to a more regulated environment.

In September 2019, a city ordinance was enacted to criminalize public marijuana use, further reinforcing this stance. As the possibility of recreational marijuana legalization looms, the future of marijuana-related arrests and policies in Miami Beach could face additional scrutiny. These developments underscore a complex interaction between law enforcement priorities and community perceptions in a rapidly evolving legal landscape.