Is Cannabis Legal In Massachusetts?

Cannabis for Medical Use in Massachusetts

Massachusetts’s medical marijuana program was established in 2012, following the passage of Question 3. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is available to patients who have been diagnosed with certain qualifying medical conditions. These conditions include cancer, HIV/AIDS, multiple sclerosis, and Crohn’s disease, among others.

To participate in the program, patients must obtain a written recommendation from a licensed physician and register with the state. Once registered, patients are issued an identification card that allows them to purchase medical marijuana from licensed dispensaries. The program allows for the use of medical marijuana in a variety of forms, including oils, pills, and creams, but does not allow for the smoking or vaporizing of marijuana.

As of 2021, there were over 80,000 registered patients in Massachusetts’s medical marijuana program. The program has faced some challenges in recent years, including a lack of available dispensaries and strict regulations governing the production and sale of medical marijuana products. However, the program has also provided much-needed relief to patients suffering from serious medical conditions.

Qualifying Conditions

• Cancer
• Glaucoma
• HIV/AIDS
• Hepatitis C
• Lou Gehrig’s disease (ALS)
• Crohn’s disease
• Parkinson’s disease
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Other debilitating conditions as determined in writing by a certified physician

Recreational Use of Cannabis in Massachusetts

Massachusetts legalized marijuana for recreational use in 2016, following the passage of Question 4. The state’s recreational marijuana program is overseen by the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission and is available to individuals over the age of 21.

Under the program, individuals over the age of 21 are allowed to possess and use marijuana for recreational purposes, as well as to cultivate up to six plants at home. Recreational marijuana is sold through licensed dispensaries and is subject to state taxes and regulations.

As of 2021, there were over 100 licensed dispensaries operating in Massachusetts, with more expected to open in the coming years. The state’s recreational marijuana program has faced some challenges in its early stages, including a slow rollout of licensing and regulatory issues. However, the program has also generated significant revenue for the state through taxes and has created new job and business opportunities.

Where Can I Get Cannabis in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, cannabis is available for both medical and recreational use through one of over 100 licensed dispensaries operating in Massachusetts as of 2021, with more expected to open in the coming years.