Drug Possession (Fla. Stat. 893.13) — Escambia County Jail View Guide
DRUGS-POSSESS (usually 893.13.6a — T F) on Escambia County Jail View is possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription. That’s a third-degree felony in Florida. COCAINE-POSSESS is the same statute for cocaine. MARIJUANA-POSSESS (893.13.6b — F M) is possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis, a first-degree misdemeanor. Larger amounts can be trafficking (§893.135), which carries mandatory minimum prison terms.
On this page
How it looks on Jail View
[+] 893.13.6a · ECSO26OFF000000 (ESCAMBIA COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE) · DRUGS-POSSESS · T · F · $2500.00 CNTRL SUB WO PRESCRIPTION
[+] 893.13.6b · PPD26OFF000000 (PENSACOLA POLICE DEPARTMENT) · MARIJUANA-POSSESS · F · M · $500.00 NOT MORE THAN 20 GRAMS
A possession charge is often booked together with drug paraphernalia (893.147, F M) from the same report number.
Possession penalties in Florida
| Charge | Statute | Level | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Possession of a controlled substance (e.g. cocaine, meth, fentanyl, pills without a prescription) | 893.13(6)(a) | Third-degree felony | 5 years, $5,000 |
| Cannabis, 20 grams or less | 893.13(6)(b) | First-degree misdemeanor | 1 year, $1,000 |
| Possession with intent to sell, sale, delivery | 893.13(1) | Second- or third-degree felony depending on drug; higher near schools, parks and churches | Up to 15 years |
| Trafficking (weight thresholds) | 893.135 | First-degree felony | Mandatory minimum prison and fines that rise with weight |
A conviction can also affect a driver’s license, professional licenses, federal student aid and immigration status.
Medical marijuana: Registered Florida medical marijuana patients may legally possess marijuana bought from a licensed treatment center, within their certification limits and in its original packaging. Hemp products that meet legal THC limits are regulated differently. Outside those rules, cannabis possession is still a crime in Florida.
Bond
Simple possession usually has a scheduled bond in Escambia County. A typical daily-list example is $2,500 for a third-degree felony possession and $500 for misdemeanor cannabis or paraphernalia. It can often be posted after booking, unless there are holds, probation, or other charges that require a judge. Bond information
Diversion and alternatives
Many first-time possession cases in Florida are resolved through alternatives rather than a conviction:
- Pretrial intervention / diversion (Fla. Stat. §948.08 for felonies, §948.16 for misdemeanors) — complete conditions such as drug testing, treatment and classes, and the charge is dismissed. Escambia County Corrections runs a Pre-Trial Diversion office, and the State Attorney decides eligibility.
- Drug court — a supervised, treatment-focused court program for eligible defendants.
- Withhold of adjudication — the judge doesn’t formally convict, which can matter for record sealing.
A defense attorney can tell you whether these options fit the case. Suppression issues, such as how the drugs were found, are common defenses.
Frequently asked questions
Is drug possession a felony in Escambia County?
Possession of most controlled substances without a valid prescription is a third-degree felony under Florida Statute 893.13(6)(a), shown as T F on Jail View. Possession of 20 grams or less of cannabis is a first-degree misdemeanor (F M). Larger amounts can be trafficking, with mandatory minimum prison terms.
What does CNTRL SUB WO PRESCRIPTION mean?
It’s the detail line for possession of a controlled substance without a valid prescription under Florida Statute 893.13(6)(a). It covers substances such as cocaine, methamphetamine, fentanyl and prescription pills held without a prescription. It’s a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years and a $5,000 fine.
Can a first-time possession charge be dropped?
Often it can be resolved without a conviction. First-time defendants may qualify for pretrial diversion or drug court, where completing conditions such as treatment and drug testing leads to dismissal. Eligibility depends on the facts and the person’s record, and the State Attorney decides who can enter diversion.
General information, not legal advice.
Sources: Fla. Stat. §893.13 · §893.135 · Escambia County Pre-Trial Diversion