Curious about the current marijuana landscape in Massachusetts? Today, with more public support for marijuana law reform than ever, it’s normal to find yourself interested in which states have already legalized the use of marijuana for medical and recreational purposes.
Whether you’re eyeing to move into the famed Bay State soon or is set to spend a brief vacation there for a week or two, knowing where Massachusetts stands in relation to marijuana can help you know what you can and what you can’t do once you get there.
To help you prepare in advance, here is a comprehensive discussion on the current state of marijuana in Massachusetts. Find out whether cannabis has been declared legal in the state and learn about the different laws and policies surrounding the drug in the state by reading this guide below.
Marijuana in America: Where Does Massachusetts Stand in the Cannabis Poll?
In less than two decades, the world has witnessed how marijuana’s position evolved from a stigmatized gateway drug to a substance blessed with tons of medicinal promises.
If we were to look back, California became the first domino to fall in 1996 after legalizing medical marijuana, creating a ripple that has pushed many other states to follow the same arrangement. In 2012, Colorado and Washington became the first states to vote for the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes, marking yet another key milestone in the U.S. marijuana legalization.
Today, it’s not surprising that a total of 11 states, plus D.C., have now legalized both recreational and medical use of cannabis. Massachusetts. is one of these 11 marijuana havens.
Recreational Marijuana in Massachusetts – Is It Legal?
As mentioned earlier, Massachusetts is one of the 11 U.S. states to have legalized the use of recreational cannabis. Specifically, this means that anyone who is 21 years of age and older can buy and use marijuana for a specified amount.
Similar to all other states, the story of how Massachusetts embraced cannabis is a long and complex one. In 2008, the state voted to decriminalize cannabis, marking the first significant event that made Massachusetts closer to becoming a marijuana haven for patients and enthusiasts. Specifically, at the time, the use and purchase of the drug remained illegal, however, anyone who is to be caught doing the act will face only civil fines instead of criminal charges.
About four years since the decriminalization, medical marijuana in the state had been approved. And, finally, in 2016, Massachusetts voters passed Question 4, which legalized the use of cannabis for recreational purposes in the state.
Specifics of the Law: Exploring Recreational Marijuana in Massachusetts
Under Massachusetts' recreational cannabis laws, anyone who is 21 years of age or older is allowed to possess and carry specific amounts of marijuana. In particular, he or she can have up to one ounce of marijuana or 5 grams of concentrate outside of their residence and up to ten ounces of marijuana inside their residence.
Additionally, adults are also allowed to possess and cultivate up to 6 marijuana plants, with a maximum of 12 per household.
What Can’t You Do: Limitations of Massachusetts’ Recreational Cannabis Laws
Of course, similar in the case of all other states to have legalized recreational marijuana, Massachusetts’ existing cannabis laws still come with a few limitations.
Among these include:
People who are to be caught “operating, navigating, or being in actual physical control” of any transport vehicle while under the influence of a marijuana product will still face penalties.
Transfer of marijuana, marijuana products, or marijuana accessories to people under 21 years of age is illegal.
Manufacturing marijuana or hemp products by means of any liquid or gas with a flashpoint below 100 degrees Fahrenheit is prohibited (except when done pursuant to a marijuana product manufacturer license issued by the commission).
Property owners and local government agencies can still prohibit or regulate the possession or consumption of marijuana within a building, subdivision, or facility.
Employers can still enact and enforce workplace policies restricting the consumption of marijuana to their employees.
Anyone can still face civil, criminal, or other penalties if their use of marijuana resulted in negligence or professional malpractice.
While medical and recreational cannabis are both legal in Massachusetts, it is still illegal to consume the drug in public.
Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts – Is It Legal?
Even before recreational use has been declared legal in Massachusetts, medical use of the drug has already been approved, thanks to the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative, also known as Question 3, which was passed in 2012.
Under the said measure, patients who are suffering from specific serious illnesses are allowed to use cannabis for medical purposes in the state.
Who is Eligible for the State’s Medical Marijuana Program?
As per required by the state laws, medical marijuana program is limited to those who reside in Massachusetts and are suffering from a specified debilitating medical condition.
Specifically, he or she must you must experience a debilitating medical condition as determined by the Commonwealth. Among these include:
Cancer
Glaucoma
HIV/AIDS
Hepatitis C
Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
Crohn’s disease
Parkinson’s disease
Multiple Sclerosis
Or other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a patient’s certified physician.
How to Apply for the State’s Medical Marijuana Program?
To apply for Massachusetts’ Medical Marijuana Program, interested individuals must follow the steps below:
Step 1: Determine whether they are eligible to apply.
Step 2: If they qualify for the program, the next step is to get a certification from a certified physician recommending the use of medical marijuana. If the health care provider approved, he or she will provide the patient with a PIN number to register with the Program.
Step 3: After getting the PIN, the patient must now register online via the Medical Use of Marijuana Program Online System to ask for a medical marijuana card. During the application, they will be asked to provide the PIN number provided by their health care provider.
Step 4: To complete the application, applicants must upload the required documents (a valid ID and current photograph of the applicant, along with other needed files).
Step 5: Pay the $50 application fee.
Step 6: Submit their applications and wait for the approval.
Step 7: If they’ve been approved, applicants will receive a temporary printable version of their Massachusetts medical marijuana card, which they can use to purchase marijuana products at dispensaries.
Step 8: The official Medical Marijuana Card will arrive by mail when it is ready.
What Can’t You Do: Limitations of Massachusetts’ Medical Cannabis Laws
To date, under Massachusetts’ medical cannabis laws, registered patients are only allowed to purchase up to a 60-day supply of up to 10 ounces from a dispensary with each prescription. They may, however, be allowed to buy more if a qualified health care provider determines that their condition warrants higher doses.
Some Notes to Remember
Generally, although medical and recreational marijuana are both declared legal in Massachusetts, exporting the drug from the state towards another will still subject a person to a felony crime at the federal level, as marijuana remains illegal under federal law.
Similarly, a person can still be arrested for possession of cannabis when in another state that hasn’t legalized possession of cannabis – regardless if that person is a registered medical marijuana patient in Massachusetts.
The Bottom Line
Is the current marijuana landscape in Massachusetts a lot clearer to you now? Whether you’re a cannabis enthusiast, a potential medical marijuana patient, or just a curious culture vulture, learning the ins and outs of Massachusetts marijuana laws can benefit you greatly.
To know more, feel free to visit Massachusetts official state site and look for more info regarding the current status of marijuana and the laws surrounding the drug to date.