According to NORML, less than 20 grams is a $1000 fine and 1 year "incarceration". This is, I believe, the maximum sentence. Sounds pretty bad but it's a misdemeanor so they may let him slide more. He didn't have a piece on him though did he?
Well I know here that paraphenalia is worse than the actual substance itself as far as charges go. Possession of the substance is a misdameaner, paraphenalia is a felony.
In florida, the charge for possession is up to 1 year and $1000 fine, and it's the same charge for paraphenalia, so if he's charged with both he's looking at up to 2 years and $2000, and most likely his drivers license revoked if he has one.
I looked at the NORML site state law overviews, but there's no minimum mandatory sentence. Think it's possible to get off without jail time since it's his first offense?
Well you said something about florida's Zero Tolerance Policy, that sounds to me like they aren't going to just let him off easy even if it's his first offense, IF he gets lucky he might just have to pay a $2000 fine, but florida sounds like it's full of assholes to me.
I don't think the judge would can your friend for only 3 grams of weed + a pipe. His license is going to be suspended and he's going to be fined, but I don't see a lot of jail time coming out of this. He's goign to have to go to a lot of drug rehab courses.