This month, the Bay State hit $1 billion in adult-use marijuana retail sales – for 2021 alone.
According to the Cannabis Control Commission, the state’s recreational marijuana sales have now surpassed $2 billion in only three years.
Not only are Massachusetts residents clearly taking advantage of the new legal industry, but people are flocking to the state to visit its many dispensaries and cannabis companies. Hundreds of licenses have been issued since state voters legalized recreational marijuana in 2016.
So, are you interested in finally checking out that dispensary that opened down the street from you? Or are you traveling in from out-of-state to see what all the buzz is about? Here are five things to know about buying legal recreational cannabis in the Bay State for residents and visitors alike.
What do I need to buy marijuana in Massachusetts?
People ages 21 and older are allowed to purchase and use recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. When visiting a dispensary, buyers do not need to be a Massachusetts resident, but they must show an official government-issued ID. Identification is checked before entering a dispensary, and also prior to making a purchase.
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How much marijuana can I buy at a time in Massachusetts?
There are buying limits for recreational marijuana in Massachusetts. A person isn’t allowed to buy more than an ounce of marijuana at a time, and not more than five grams can be in the form of marijuana concentrate.
The same numbers apply for the amount of marijuana people are allowed to have on their person at any given time in Massachusetts.
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Where can I use recreational marijuana in Massachusetts?
Though recreational marijuana is legal in the Bay State, public consumption of it is prohibited. No, you can’t smoke a bowl on the sidewalk. It’s not like smoking a cigarette.
Your best bet is consuming marijuana at your private residence. If you’re staying at a hotel or living at a rental property, make sure to check with the property manager about their cannabis rules, as they are allowed to prohibit its use on their property.
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Massachusetts doesn’t yet have social consumption destinations, such as marijuana bars. The Cannabis Commission Control launched a pilot program in 2019 around the idea of cannabis cafes and lounges, but the opening of such establishments isn’t in the near future. For the first two years, the CCC determined, licenses will be limited to social equity and economic empowerment applicants.
Can I take marijuana with me when I leave Massachusetts?
Because marijuana is still illegal federally, it is also illegal to bring it across state lines. In Massachusetts’ case, the state’s neighbors New Hampshire and Rhode Island have not legalized recreational marijuana, but have both decriminalized it in some form. Technically, someone driving from Massachusetts into New Hampshire could be pulled over and issued a citation for possessing marijuana.
Ultimately, federal law says that marijuana purchased in Massachusetts should be consumed in Massachusetts.
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Can I mail cannabis or take it on an airplane?
The answer is no – to both. The possession of cannabis products is prohibited in Massachusetts airports, and mailing cannabis counts as transporting it across state lines, which is illegal under federal law.
Mailing less than 50 kilos of marijuana can carry a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
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