It is always amazing how much change can happen in a relatively short amount of time. When it comes to the decriminalization and eventual legalization of medical and then recreational marijuana the tides of change in Massachusetts happened in just a matter of 14 years, which in the oceans of time is not even a drop in the proverbial bucket! In this article, I will provide you with an overview of where things currently stand, including how and where you can buy marijuana seeds in Massachusetts.

The Decriminalization of Marijuana in Massachusetts

Ironically, Massachusetts, the first state in the U.S. to criminalize cannabis in 1911, also became the first state in the country to decriminalize it in 2008 by passing Question 2, aka the “Massachusetts Sensible Marijuana Policy Initiative” (MSMPI). An overwhelming 65% majority of state voters voted Question 2 into law, which put the possession of small quantities of cannabis on the same level as a traffic ticket. Essentially, the MSMPI, which was progressive for its time, changed state laws from where if an individual was caught with up to one ounce of marijuana they could be sentenced to six months in prison and fined $500 to only being fined $100 and it is not going on their record! It is without a doubt that Massachusetts can proudly proclaim itself to have been the first state in the country to make a bold step toward progress and change, paving the way for other states to do likewise and eventually legalize medical and recreational marijuana.

The Legalization of Medical Marijuana in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts’ 2012 general election, only 2% less of state voters from 2008 voted to legalize medical marijuana by voting “Yes” to Question 3, the “Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative,” making it the 18th state in the country to do so. Unfortunately, there were a lot of hiccups along the way where medical marijuana dispensaries didn’t begin to open to medical users until the end of 2015, which forced patients to still have to purchase their cannabis from illegal sources. However, once all of the bureaucratic red tape was untangled, the laws listed below went into and remain in effect at this time.

Buy marijuana seeds in Massachusetts today!

Medical Marijuana Laws

  • Patients 18 and older must be approved by a physician and certified by the state of Massachusetts in order to legally obtain and possess up to a 60-day supply of medical cannabis.
  • Patients under the age of 18, aka “pediatric patients,” must obtain approval from two state-licensed certifying physicians, who must diagnose them as having either a “debilitating life-limiting illness or condition.”
  • Registered medical users are allowed to cultivate a maximum of 12 plants in their flowering stage and 12 in their vegetative growth stage at home for personal use.
  • Registered patients or their personal caregivers are allowed to apply for what is known as a Hardship Cultivation license, which allows them to grow enough cannabis for a 60-day supply for medical usage, which is defined as 10 ounces of usable marijuana and is solely for the patient’s use.

The Legalization of Recreational Marijuana in Massachusetts

On November 8, 2016, Massachusetts became the 7th state in the U.S. to legalize recreational marijuana when 54% of state voters approved Question 4 the “Massachusetts Marijuana Legalization Initiative” for recreational, aka “adult-use,” use. Similarly to 2012’s Question 3 passage, there were numerous hiccups along the way, and licensed dispensaries were not allowed to open in the state until July 1, 2018. However, it was not until November 20, 2018, that the state’s first recreational sale, and first sale on the entire East Coast, happened when two military veterans were the first customers to legally purchase recreational marijuana–the first one from Cultivate in Leicester, and the latter from NETA in Northampton. At this time here are the basics of where things stand in Massachusetts with recreational marijuana.

Marijuana Laws and How to Buy Marijuana Seeds in Massachusetts

  • Adults who are 21+ may buy and use recreational cannabis with a government-issued state ID, regardless of which state they are from.
  • Adults may possess up to 1 ounce of flower and up to 5 grams of concentrate outside of their home, and up to 10 ounces at home. *If it is in your car, etc. it must be in a sealed or locked container.
  • Like alcohol, using cannabis in public is not allowed.
  • You are allowed to give up to 1 ounce to someone else who is at least 18 years old
  • Adult users are allowed to grow up to 6 plants per person at home, or 12 in total per entire household.
  • You are allowed to buy seeds from local dispensaries. However, to get the best selection, your best bet is to use an online cannabis seed bank like Growers Choice Seeds.

Conclusion

While this article does not attempt to cover every single aspect of Massachusetts’ medical and recreational laws, it hopefully gives you enough basic information so that you know how to carry on your own research from here. We’ll be here when you’re ready to buy marijuana seeds in Massachusetts.

Written By Kim Thompson

Along with being an award-winning creative and literary writer, Kim works as a freelance copywriter, editor, and proofreader both domestically and internationally. To find out more about Kim and her work, go to: eyerightwords.com

For inquiries, e-mail Kim at: eyerightwords@gmail.com