In South Florida’s water-bound culture—stretching from the Intracoastal Waterway around Fort Lauderdale to the open Atlantic—cannabis use and boating have created a collision of lifestyles and laws. As cannabis becomes more widely accepted and available across the state, the maritime environment remains one of the last strongholds of strict federal enforcement.

Florida’s medical-use laws allow qualifying patients to possess and use cannabis with a valid card. However, both state and federal authorities maintain that operating a vessel while under the influence of any intoxicant, including cannabis, is strictly prohibited. The complication arises when boats travel on navigable waters, which are governed by federal maritime law. Under these rules, cannabis possession or use aboard a U.S.-flagged vessel remains a violation of the federal Controlled Substances Act, regardless of state legalization.

For boaters in Fort Lauderdale, a city often called the “Venice of America” for its extensive canal system, this creates a confusing legal landscape. The U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies have authority to board vessels, conduct inspections, and enforce federal laws on U.S. navigable waters. If cannabis is discovered on board, even if legally purchased and possessed under Florida law, both the vessel and its occupants may face serious penalties.

The risks don’t end with possession. Boating-under-the-influence (BUI) laws treat cannabis impairment in the same way as alcohol impairment. Anyone operating a boat while under the influence of THC risks arrest, fines, and possible suspension of boating privileges. Even in the absence of clear signs of impairment, a marine accident that triggers testing can result in severe consequences for any boater who has consumed cannabis. For this reason, most commercial charter operators and private captains in Fort Lauderdale explicitly forbid the use or possession of cannabis on their vessels.

The challenges stem from three main issues. First, there is a stark disconnect between state legalization and federal maritime jurisdiction. While Florida permits medical cannabis, federal law continues to classify it as a Schedule I controlled substance. This means that boaters—even medical cardholders—are not protected once they enter navigable waters under federal oversight. Second, the blurred line between medical and recreational use often confuses passengers who believe their status as registered patients grants immunity. It does not. Third, commercial operators must manage liability concerns; if a passenger brings cannabis aboard, it could jeopardize the vessel, its crew, and its insurance coverage.

Within South Florida’s boating community, where weekend parties at sandbars and social cruises are part of the culture, the temptation to combine cannabis with leisure on the water is understandable. But the consequences can be serious. Cannabis possession may violate both maritime and state public-use laws, and consumption on deck exposes operators to BUI enforcement.

For responsible boaters, the best course is caution. Cannabis should be stored on land, not onboard. Operators should never pilot a vessel after consuming any THC products, even those prescribed for medical use. When chartering, passengers should always ask about the captain’s policy on cannabis before departure.

In the evolving era of cannabis normalization, South Florida’s waterways remain an exception. Fort Lauderdale’s boaters may feel caught between state progress and federal restriction, but until maritime law adapts, the intersection of cannabis and boating will continue to be a risky one. On the open water, freedom still flies under a federal flag—and that means cannabis stays on shore.