Messi And Weed: Can You Go To An Inter Miami Match While High?

Original story by Hernán Panessi for El Planteo.

Wherever the GOAT appears, a revolution takes place. Messi arrived at the U.S. Major League Soccer and the entire planet is feverishly tuning in on a competition that was barely noticed just five minutes ago.

Thousands of people are converging from all over the world to the shores of Miami to see Leo Messi's Inter live and direct.

Miami is, in fact, today’s new epicenter of global entertainment. Recently, Messi'as presence attracted visitors including Camila Cabello, Maluma, DJ Khaled, Kim Kardashian and LeBron James, among other top celebrities.

And there are thousands of curious, enthusiasts, upstarts and soccer players traveling to Florida to create a personal memory with David Beckham's team and its most precious gem. This has brought up a couple of questions, including many people who are wondering about cannabis.

Can you go to Inter Miami’s DRV PNK Stadium and see Leo Messi after smoking or using marijuana in some way?

Marijuana Use In Miami

"Of course, you can attend a soccer/sporting event at a stadium after consuming or smoking cannabis," renowned Clark Hill’s lawyer Robert Hoban told El Planteo in an exclusive talk.

However, he clarified: "Public or open consumption in the parking lot or at the stadium is prohibited by the state cannabis laws and the generalized 'smoking' laws. Florida Medical Marijuana Laws prohibit you to use your high-THC medication in public or in public transportation."

What Florida Law Says

Currently, Florida is a state that contemplates medical marijuana on a finite list of conditions to qualify as a purchaser.

As information is power, beware the curious, enthusiastic, upstarts and footballers out there: Let’s plunge a bit further here.

To legally qualify as a medical marijuana patient in Florida, you must be a permanent or seasonal resident, be diagnosed by a qualified physician with a medical condition from a specific list, be listed in the Medical Marijuana Use Registry and obtain a Medical Marijuana Use Registry ID Card.

So currently, medical use of marijuana is legal in Florida. On the other hand, recreational marijuana remains illegal.

See Also: Ron DeSantis And Florida Lawmakers Estimate Legal Weed Will Generate At Least $500M In Tax Revenue

Additional facts about the state law: people 21 and older with a qualifying medical condition can purchase or smoke medical marijuana; possession of any amount of marijuana is illegal; possession of more than 20 grams/25 pounds of cannabis is a felony; it is illegal for individuals and businesses to grow marijuana; state-licensed growers can grow marijuana; Florida imposes fines and jail time for simple possession of marijuana in any amount.

Inter Miami And Medical Marijuana

What are the qualifying conditions?

A patient must be diagnosed with at least one of the following conditions: ALS or Lou Gehrig's disease; cancer; Crohn's disease; epilepsy; glaucoma; HIV/AIDS; multiple sclerosis; Parkinson's disease; PTSD; a terminal condition diagnosed by another physician other than the licensed physician who issued the medical certification; a non-malignant chronic pain induced by a qualifying medical condition or medical conditions comparable to those listed above.

Meanwhile, patients can consume medical marijuana before going to the stadium and get worked up on Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine National Team.

"People with a qualifying medical condition can use medical marijuana. However, the consumption of medical marijuana must take place within a private residence," the lawyer pointed out.

"Under Florida law, there are no places within a stadium that can be used to consume marijuana at present."

Cannabis Derivatives

Florida has made progress in recent years in terms of expanding rights and guarantees related to hemp derivatives and other cannabinoids, so "one could consume drinks, edibles and the like in the stadium; however, the stadium limits what spectators can bring into an event."

So, in practical terms, “this would prohibit a spectator from bringing in a beverage and using a vape at the event, but would not likely prohibit edible from being brought in for consumption purposes," the lawyer concluded.

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Photo via YouTube, edited on Canva by El Planteo