Cannabis in Massachusetts

Recreation Use of Cannabis by Adults is Legal

Massachusetts allows purchase and use of recreational cannabis/marijuana by people over age 21. Purchasers do not need to be a Massachusetts resident; they must have a government-issued ID. You may have up to one ounce of flower and up to five grams of any concentrate outside of your home. Using cannabis in public is prohibited. See more on the laws for more details and links for Massachusetts marijuana/cannabis laws.

"Quick Hits" - FAQ about Cannabis in Mass.

Q: Who may buy & use cannabis in Mass.?
A: Anyone age 21 and older. You must show a valid gov't-issued ID to enter a dispensary. You do not need to be a resident of Massachusetts.

Q: How can I pay?
A: You may use only cash or a debit card, not a credit card. Some stores may have an ATM on the property.

Q: How can I prepare to shop ahead?
A: Most dispensaries have a website. There, you can find out location, hours, and you can preview products. Plenty of dispensaries in Massachusetts also offer online preordering.

Q: What are these terms? I don’t know what to choose!
A: Retail stores have a wonderful resource for you: budtenders (that is, expert clerks). If you are inexperienced in choosing cannabis, budtenders on duty will advise you. You can simply explain what you are hoping for in your cannabis use (pain relief, sleep help, an exuberant high, a mellow high) and your budtender will expertly guide you to the right choice.

Q: What about the different ways to ingest?
A: Your major choices are flower (the green buds of the plant that most people recognize, which can be smoked in a rolled joint or a pipe) edibles (the essence of the plant baked into candy, confections or other edible items); or tinctures, which is liquid in a very small amount taken under the tongue; or concentrates (varieties with high levels of THC, such as hash). There are even infused seltzers and other drinks coming onto the market. You can find more obscure items, but these are the basics. Stores also sell convenient pre-rolled individual joints or vape cartridges.

Q: How much will it cost?
A: First, a word about quantities, courtesy of the website Green-Flower.com: A gram (g) is the basic amount of cannabis flower or concentrate you can buy. It’s enough for a healthy-sized joint, two skinny joints or 2-3 pipe bowls. As for costs, a quick survey of some MA cannabis stores showed 3 pre-rolls (about .5g each) for $30; one-eight ounce (equal to 3.5 grams) of flower for $50; and candy bars and caramels for $25 each. As with any hobby, prices can rise much higher for more-refined products.

Q: Do stores deliver to my location?
A: Some dispensaries in Massachusetts may deliver. Consult the store’s website.

Q: Where may I smoke or ingest cannabis in Massachusetts?
A: You may smoke or ingest only on private property; never on public property.

Q: What about medical marijuana?
A: Out-of-state visitors may not purchase medical-grade marijuana in Massachusetts.

Q: May I buy cannabis in Massachusetts and take it home with me?
A: Under Federal law, it is still illegal to transport across state lines. This may change in the near future, but for now buy it in MA and use it there.

Q: Where can I find a dispensary near me in Massachusetts?
A: We recommend consulting a resource such as Google Maps, WeedMaps, or Leafly.

Looking for other experiences with cannabis? Check out these pages:

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Cannabis Disclaimer

DISCLAIMER: Cannabis/marijuana products have not been analyzed or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). There is limited information on the side effects of using such products, and there may be associated health risks. Marijuana use during pregnancy and breast-feeding may pose potential harms. It is against the law to drive or operate machinery when under the influence of this product. KEEP THIS PRODUCT AWAY FROM CHILDREN. There may be health risks associated with consumption of this product. Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. The impairment effects of Edibles may be delayed by two hours or more. In case of accidental ingestion, contact poison control hotline 1-800-222-1222 or 9-1-1. This product may be illegal outside of Massachusetts.

Please Consume Responsibly.
Marijuana can impair concentration, coordination and judgment. Do not operate a vehicle or machinery under the influence of this drug.
For use only by adults 21 years of age or older. Keep out of the reach of children.

Many Regions

The variety of places and personalities that make up the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is as impressive as the number of ways to enjoy it with marijuana – e.g., pipe, joint, vape pen, bong, tincture, brownies, and so on. The state’s regions range from Cape Cod beaches and bluffs to the rolling hills, trout streams, and historic mansions of the Berkshires. And those are just the remote eastern and western parts of this history-laden state. The Berkshires region includes the Connecticut River Valley, where visitors love touring authentic buildings of Historic Deerfield, browsing the bistros and bookstores of Northampton, walking the Bridge of Flowers, or enjoying games and shopping at the grand casino in Springfield. The state’s Central region is a place of smaller town and farms, along with the city of Worcester, which is cultural rich with many colleges and a fabulous art museum. On the Atlantic coast is the world-class city of Boston, packed with restaurants, hotels, museums and tours. North of Boston are the seafaring towns of Gloucester and Rockport, along with spooky Salem. South of Boston is Plymouth, offering whale watches and the stirring history of the Pilgrims. A toke of cannabis or a bite of edible marijuana can be a pleasurable way to embark on your exploration of any of these exciting and emotional places.

Seasons & Outdoors

The Berkshire Mountains ski areas welcome generations of people for snow play. Summer and fall are saturated in brilliant color for outdoor activities. The central area of Massachusetts is thick with small towns and state parks. Nice hiking trails are everywhere, and any hike can be enhanced by a moment to intake some weed – look at those colors! The east coast of Massachusetts is oceanfront beaches from Newburyport to Provincetown. You can take a ferry from downtown Boston out to the Boston Harbor Islands for hiking, picnicking, swimming, and views of the city. A whiff of THC in the brain via marijuana is a wonderful way to brighten the sensual pleasures of the outdoors.

Culture

Boston has been called The Athens of America. Fire up a joint or taste a bit of cannabis-enhanced tincture before you set out to enjoy the many museums of the city, with their planetarium shows, famous glass flowers, and world-class paintings. Enjoy classical and every other genre of music at Beantown’s great theaters and nightclubs. Art galleries re plentiful in the North Shore towns of Rockport and Newburyport. Lexington and Concord includes the homes of thinkers like Henry Thoreau, the Alcotts, and others. Out in the Berkshires, you can tour the mansions of Herman Melville and Edith Wharton.

Dining

Dining in Massachusetts is every bit as varied and historic. When the munchies strike – or even before – you can partake of fresh seafood from the North Atlantic, Boston baked beans, New England boiled dinner (corned beef and cabbage). Farmers markets are laden in the summer and fall. The longstanding immigrant communities in many parts of Massachusetts satisfy your pot-enhanced appetite for tastes from distant places.

State Laws

Adults 21 years and older may legally possess & use marijuana. You don't have to be a Massachusetts resident to buy marijuana, but you must show a government ID. Sales are mostly cash only. In some shops you can use a debit card, but it would be processed as an ATM withdrawal. (The MA Cannabis Control Commission helps you find a store at its Find a Retailer page.

Possession:

You may possess up to 1 ounce of weed and up to 5 grams of marijuana concentrate outside of your home or in your vehicle, as long as it's kept in a closed and sealed container or a locked trunk. You may give up to 1 ounce to another person over age 18.

Use in Public & Private:

Using marijuana in public is prohibited. If an area bans tobacco smoking, it also bans smoking marijuana. You may use it on your own property or on private property where you have permission. Massachusetts General Law states: “No person shall consume marijuana in a public place or smoke marijuana where smoking tobacco is prohibited. A person who violates this subsection shall be punished by a civil penalty of not more than $100.” Driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.

Paraphernalia:

An adult may buy and use marijuana paraphernalia.

Medical Marijuana:

Massachusetts medical use laws are available here.

Use these links for recreational marijuana information for other New England states: