News and Politics | January 02, 2009 | 37 comments

Marijuana decriminalization law goes into effect in MA

source: http://www.boston.com/news/local/breaking_news/2009/01/marijuana_decri_1.html

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It's no longer a crime to have one ounce or less of pot. The state's new marijuana decriminalization law, approved by voters in a November referendum, goes into effect today.

Those who are caught with an ounce or less would get a ticket similar to a building code citation. They could appeal the civil infraction in court within 21 days or pay a $100 fine set in the law. Juvenile violators would have to pay the fine and attend a drug abuse counseling course, or have the fine increased to $1,000.

The state Executive Office of Public Safety and Security released guidelines Monday in response to questions about the law. The state noted that the new statute applied to all substances that contain THC, which includes hashish and hash oil. THC, or tetrahydrocannabinol, is the active ingredient in marijuana that gives users a high.
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37 comments // Marijuana decriminalization law goes into effect in MA

  • hunzedog
  • hinkgods
    • 0
      hinkgods  

    • dont worry this drug doest kill anyone n if it does cant be anymore then drinking and driving or causing violent behavior as alcohol tends to due...i know if i smoke a joint im mellow and relaxed n focused compared to the doctor prescribed xanax that gives you mood swings, seizures, and major addictition...oops i forgot the doctors dont make any money from this new law innless they can onboard with the government...

    • 3 years ago
  • Valence
    • 0
      Valence  

    • *It's no longer a crime to have one ounce or less of pot.*

      *Those who are caught with an ounce or less would get a ticket similar to a building code citation.*

      What? lol why not just make the ounce or less safe to have, instead of putting people threw the trouble, and what about those that don't show up to court and it leads to worst punishments.

      Anyways, I'm glad i can smoke as much as i want in my house and go outside and pass by cop and smell like weed without being arrested.

    • 3 years ago
  • Ashaobama08
  • thetrimsmith
  • tbowman131
  • damnneargenius
    • 0
      damnneargenius  

    • See how the experiment goes then design other systems accordingly.

      What this interestingly doesn't necessarily address is the profits from the sales of such a sure thing. I guess determining the limits by which people are allowed to profit from selling weed will eventually be on the table for discussion.

      It's interesting, but probably safer that it's Massachusetts not the insanely liberal state of California pioneering such experimental regulations, because all the other crime and nonsensical behavior could possibly taint the statistics if it were tested out here.

      At least this appears to be a step in the right direction. The laws need to reflect and correct human behavior BEFORE it becomes a problem, and demonizing things based on the behavior of certain bad people is not the way to do that.

    • 3 years ago
  • Eis4Epic
  • SHAWN_RITTIMAN
    • 0
      SHAWN_RITTIMAN  

    • The article is misleading. If it wasn't a crime they couldn't give you a $100 ticket. It is less of a crime. And for the record...I never exhaled!

    • 3 years ago
  • darkhorsejim
    • 0
      darkhorsejim  

    • I’m proud to be from Mass (but it took awhile) & hope other states can use our progress as a model in the new millennium. After electing our 1st African-American governor, Duval Patrick overhauled the good ol' boys network on Beacon Hill. He was finally able to clear the way for long overdue changes to benefit the citizenry instead of the corrupt politicians – which are still being weeded out.

      2 of the greatest changes the voters have accomplished under this renewed sense of freedom are: the legalization of gay marriage & decriminalizing the possession of marijuana. Right now, things are going pretty well in “The cradle of liberty” & we’ll hopefully influence other states to join us in the 21st century.

      Now if you’ll excuse me while I test out this wonderful decriminalization!

    • 3 years ago
  • carmalite
  • jomahu
    • 0
      jomahu  

    • hopefully, it won't be long until medical marijuana laws are passed here.
      never mind the snow, MA is wicked awesome!

    • 3 years ago
  • carmalite
  • hinkgods
    • 0
      hinkgods  

    • WOW!! about time..this country is nutz over prescribed meds that the most best natural herb for many medical issues has been used as a money maker for the government in the wrong ways by arresting ppl n keeping it ilegal..its time for CHANGE and we need to fight to legalize this natural herb thruout USA, cmon already are we that block headed to have alcohol legal and not weed? make this law happen in NY Plz and i will become a Dem lol
      for the 2nd hand smokers coplaining I'm sure moving away from the person smoking wont harm you as mmuch as someone thats been drinking and driving.hhmmmmmm

    • 3 years ago
  • cerealforeal
  • idealist
    • 0
      idealist  

    • legalize and tax is a fair idea bye me ,, but not all drugs!! ill be damned if heroin cocain or crack becomes legal. that the "war on drugs" that i wouldent mind staying in place.
      anywhooo if i got a ticket for holding id roll it up and smoke it :)

    • 3 years ago
  • hippisteve
    • 0
      hippisteve  

    • If you can be fined, your being fined for your wrong doin~ Sounds like your still a criminal..still a step in the right direction.

    • 3 years ago
  • Alex_French
  • emezajr
  • farmer95
    • 0
      farmer95  

    • Unfortunately that state has missed the mark. I totally agree that if you can still get a ticket (for $100) for an ounce or less (just a different kind of a ticket, duh) it is still a ticket and you are still being "punished." So, no it has not been de-criminalized, they are just calling it something else and still want to get their money out of it. I don't smoke pot, never have and I am not interested in trying it and at 66 probably never will because I don't feel any need to, although certainly all my kids have (or do), and the drug war routine is old and outdated and doesn't work and is a self-justifying machine. Millions of dollars wasted and jails full of people who don't belong there. The country needs to grow up and stop trying to legislate morality. Tax it like cigarettes and let us all carry on. Then you'd be making some money.

    • 3 years ago
  • stephenthomson
  • DAWNJUAN
    • 0
      DAWNJUAN  

    • Weed has been proven in medical studies that it helps w/SEVERAL deadly diesaes. Thats the ONLY drug that has been proven 2 benefit diseases. Thats my 1ST POINT, 2ND it's NOT ADDICTING!!!! U dont see our communities w/pot heads pan handiling & stealing 2 get A FIX LOL!!!! 3RD WHO THE HELL DOESNT LIKE SOME WEED THE PRESIDENTS EVEN LIKE IT!!!! LMAO THEIR SMOKING OUT THE OVAL OFFICE W/BITCHES!!!!!!! LOL

    • 3 years ago
  • joaarias
    • 0
      joaarias  

    • @ "I guess I'm confused."

      the "decriminalization" is mainly saying you won't get taken to jail and slapped a misdemeanor for a friggin joint (Texas loves to do this). I hope this is a viral thing!! Too many people's lives and a lot of money has been wasted due to this seriously outdated and racially-inspired law against cannabis. they need to clarify if people can grow their own because you wouldn't have to "get caught" with an ounce if you could just grow it!!??

    • 3 years ago
  • cj0428
    • 0
      cj0428  
    • joaarias:

      Yes, unfortunately I live in Texas. If you research the history of marijuana the entire stupidity of making it illegal in the first place was an economic issue. Hemp was way too competitive against crops like cotton. At the time the archiac laws were passed even the "experts" were saying it was harmless and not addicting. But, that message got lost in Nixon's insane "war on drugs." I'm old enough to remember times before Nixon when the cops would pull you over and maybe laughingly ask for a joint before letting you go on your way-we were all much happier!

    • 3 years ago
  • diabolical44
    • 0
      diabolical44  

    • the new law in Mass. seems very sensible. Hopefully Richard Nixon's catastrophe known as the "war on drugs" will become a thing of the past in this nation

    • 3 years ago
  • cj0428
    • 0
      cj0428  

    • I guess I'm confused. If it has been decriminalized what's the deal with the ticket. It's not illegal to have an ounce or less but if you have it and are caught you get a ticket and a fine? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad MA has "decriminalized" marijuana but why are we still playing this silly game with a perfectly safe herb?

    • 3 years ago
  • punkerton
    • 0
      punkerton  
    • cj0428:

      I have absolutely nothing to back up this quasi-explanation of mine but hopefully you will find it somewhat enlightening:

      The reason, I've always believed, for receiving a punishment after decriminalization is due to the federal government laws and regulations. We can pretend states have the power to fully govern on their own but big brother is always there ready to pounce on anything he doesn't agree with.

      Case in point - California decriminalized years ago but still have federal interference on "state legal" establishments. The DEA swoops in and shuts down small businesses doing no harm or foul to their state. The business owners get thrown in a federal prison...sometimes with a longer sentence than a child molester would serve.

      BS, man! Total BS!

    • 3 years ago
  • dar928
  • sonymac6
  • deeblackangel
  • mcknight55
  • AndrewBerl
  • titvol
    • 0
      titvol  

    • Legalize, tax and regulate all drugs. The war on drugs is a complete failure. Prohibition doesn't work and has no place in a free society.

    • 3 years ago
  • WhiteNoise
  • dar928
  • rickm8
  • Katmai512
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