Cannabis is a difficult subject for a lot of people, especially if they have never used it themselves. One of the biggest risks you can take as a marijuana user – or somebody who is thinking of trying it – is to go to a new place without knowing the relevant cannabis laws.

Different states all handle drug use in their own ways, and marijuana is well-known for each state tackling its use differently. Whether you are planning a stay in Massachusetts or are just stopping there on your journey to somewhere else entirely, knowing the marijuana laws can be incredibly important if you do not want to break any rules.

Is Marijuana Legal in Massachusetts?

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts legalized medical marijuana in 2012 and recreational marijuana in 2016, making it one of the few states where both are fully legal. If you are over the age of 21, you can purchase, grow, transport, or even gift marijuana in limited amounts whenever you like.

While there are obviously certain restrictions regarding how you can use your marijuana, it is important to remember that it is still legal to own it. As long as you observe the right regulations with the amounts you possess and the way that you are using it, you will not get in trouble.

Recreational Use

The Massachusetts Recreational Marijuana Laws state that residents may not:

  • Use more than 1 ounce of marijuana (or 5 grams of concentrates) for recreational purposes.
  • Own more than 10 ounces in their home.
  • Transport more than six marijuana plants (three grown, three seedlings).
  • Grow more than 12 marijuana plants per residence.
  • Grow marijuana plants in public view.
  • Transport marijuana in an unlocked container.
  • Consume marijuana in a public space
  • Give marijuana to anybody under the age of 21.
  • Transport any amount of marijuana out of the Commonwealth.

Buying Marijuana in Massachusetts

There are Purchasing Restrictions

There are restrictions to how much cannabis may be purchased at one time, regardless of whether you live in Massachusetts or not. The current possession limit is one ounce of marijuana, with no more than five grams in the form of marijuana concentrate. This might be perplexing while shopping for various goods at a dispensary. 

Your budtender and other dispensary employees will be able to assist you in making purchases that keep you under the legal limit. Remember that they are not allowed to sell you more than that amount each transaction, so don’t attempt to persuade or intimidate them into selling you more. This is against the law and will place everyone involved in hot trouble.

It Is Not Permitted to Consume in Public

While it is allowed to possess cannabis products in public, it is also illegal to consume marijuana in public or to smoke marijuana in a place where smoking tobacco is forbidden. Non-residents may believe that Massachusetts citizens smoke cannabis like tobacco while walking down the street, although this is wrong. Don’t make this mistake and end up paying the price.

Check with any rental or hotel accommodations before smoking, vaping, ingesting, or otherwise consuming cannabis products on their grounds. Some property owners or managers are OK with cannabis usage, while others are completely opposed to it on their land. 

Don’t get evicted from your lodgings because you broke the regulations. Currently, Massachusetts does not authorize social consumption or mixed-use venues like marijuana use bars or yoga studios.

Driving While Intoxicated

Driving while high on cannabis is unlawful. Period. If you are ingesting cannabis products while visiting Massachusetts, make sure you have a sober driver and never drive after taking any quantity of cannabis. If you need to go from point A to point B after smoking cannabis, consider using a taxi, Uber, or Lyft. 

Remember that the effects of edible marijuana may be delayed by two hours or more. You may not have an open container of adult-use marijuana/marijuana products in the passenger compartment of your automobile while driving or in a public location, just as you may not have an open container of alcohol.

Traveling With Cannabis On You

Bringing any quantity of cannabis with you when you return home outside of Massachusetts is prohibited and should never be tried. Possession of cannabis in any form is now illegal after you pass a state boundary, and any cannabis product is now outlawed at Massachusetts airports. Don’t risk state or federal penalties by leaving all cannabis goods in Massachusetts when you leave.

Medical Use

The Massachusetts Medical Use Marijuana Laws state that a patient needs to have a physician’s prescription, a medical marijuana card, and an appropriate medical condition to receive medical marijuana. Patients under the age of 18 need certifications from two physicians, as well as parent or guardian consent.

Marijuana-using patients are restricted from:

  • Growing more than a 60-day supply (or up to 10 ounces) of usable marijuana in their home at any one time.
  • Possessing, transporting, or distributing more than 1 ounce of usable marijuana.

Are There Other Restrictions?

Marijuana can be bought from registered vendors and treatment centers, and they are permitted to sell a range of related products such as edibles, vapes, and concentrates. This means that you can purchase Marijuana in Massachusetts in a range of forms, depending on your preferences.

However, sellers can only sell a single ounce of marijuana (or 5 grams of concentrates) per transaction. This is to stop customers from buying more than the legal limit that they can carry. Retail products can only contain a maximum of 20 servings, with 5 milligrams of THC per serving.

If you want to know more about buying Marijuana in Massachusetts, then take a look at the official breakdowns of the way that the state handles cannabis retailers and users. The more you know about how Massachusetts treats marijuana, the easier it will be to start using it comfortably within the state’s borders.