Legal Cannabis Goes Into Effect in Massachusetts

Cannabis is now officially legal for all adults over the age of 21 in Massachusetts. Last November, voters approved Question 4, however, the results were not verified by the Governor’s Council until last Wednesday. About 3.8 million Massachusetts residents voted on Question 4, with about 1.5  million opposing votes and about 1.8 million votes in favor of the bill. The initiative passed by 240,000 votes. Massachusetts is the first state on the Atlantic coast to implement recreational cannabis, thanks to Maine’s recount effort.

Effective immediately, Massachusetts residents have the right to possess one ounce of cannabis outside of home and 10 ounces at home. Before December 14, possessing personal amounts of cannabis in Massachusetts would result in a $100 fine. Residents can also grow up to a dozen plants per household. Cannabis sales are on hold for another year, when the state’s Treasurer Office sets up regulations and licensing.

Republican Governor Charlie Baker strongly opposed the initiative from the get-go. “It was a 6,000 word ballot question written by the recreational marijuana industry for the recreational marijuana industry,” Governor Baker told The Associated Press from Israel. “So I expect the Legislature will want to deal with things like potency, home rule. What are going to be the rules about where you can locate (retail) facilities and what local control does local government have about that?” Baker suggested the possibility of pushing the regulation deadlines ahead six months which would further delay the sale of cannabis.

According to the Boston Globe, cannabis has been illegal in Massachusetts for 105 years, seven months and 16 days. The strongest and loudest opposition came from Massachusetts law enforcement agencies who cited the fear that legal cannabis will lead to a spike in drugged driving. Immediately after legalization began, a hoax circulated claiming the first-ever cannabis overdose occurred hours later.

Massachusetts voters decriminalized cannabis in 2008 and legalized medical cannabis in 2012. Passing recreational cannabis is the next logical step for cannabis reform.