Massachusetts

Massachusetts Act to Tax and Regulate Marijuana

jeremiah — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 09:24:18 -0700

A regulated, taxed marijuana trade could help bolster the state’s economy, advocates for legal marijuana said today at a Revenue Committee hearing.

"Whether you like it or you hate it ... it is undeniable in 2009 that marijuana has become inextricably embedded in our culture," said Richard Evans, a Northampton attorney. "It is ubiquitous and it is ineradicable."

Boston Freedom Rally: 30,000 Smoke Pot, Celebrate Decrim

jeremiah — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 13:20:12 -0700

An estimated 30,000 people were crowded onto the Boston Common at the peak moment of the 20th annual Boston Freedom Rally on September 19th 2009.

That moment was 4:20PM ET.

Marijuana Legalization Bills Introduced In Massachusetts

jeremiah — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:14:29 -0700

California’s highly publicized effort to legalize the commercial cultivation and sale of cannabis is getting some well-deserved company!

Pot Smokers to Protest Proposed Marijuana Fine Increase

jeremiah — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 17:49:37 -0800

METHUEN, MASSACHUSETTS - Tomorrow night's City Council meeting might look like a rock concert, and that's because marijuana is on the agenda. Mayor William Manzi is asking the council to increase the fine for people caught smoking pot in public. The mayor's proposal has sparked plenty of criticism, including from local rock band Prospect Hill.

The band posted a video on the Web site youtube.com, urging fans to attend tomorrow night's meeting to protest Manzi's proposal.

Massachusetts Police Chiefs Legalize Marijuana

jeremiah — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:49:12 -0800

Police chiefs in towns like Auburn and Clinton, Massachusetts would undoubtedly deny that they have any interest in legalizing marijuana, but that's what they're about to effectively accomplish.

Marijuana Decriminalization Law Goes Into Effect In Massachusetts

jeremiah — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:32:37 -0800

MASSACHUSETTS - 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.

Lawyer: Pot Foes Blow Smoke

jeremiah — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:54:17 -0800

A key architect of a campaign to liberalize the state’s pot laws is accusing critics of using scare tactics to undermine the law before it even goes into effect Jan. 2.

Thomas Kiley, the Beacon Hill lawyer who wrote the text of the ballot question, charged district attorneys and cops are still trying to defeat Question 2 after voters passed it overwhelmingly, 65 percent to 35 percent, in November.

“All that is happening is people who were opposed to it then are still doing so instead of working to implement it,” Kiley said.

New Pot Rules May Allow Having Hashish

jeremiah — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 03:52:27 -0800

BOSTON — Massachusetts police may no longer be able to arrest people for having a small amount of hashish, because a new law that decriminalizes possessing up to an ounce of marijuana could apply to other drugs with the same psychoactive ingredient, according to guidelines issued today.

The guidelines, from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security, say possession of an ounce or less of THC — the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, hashish or hash oil — may now be decriminalized as well.

Making a Simple Law About Marijuana Too Complicated

jeremiah — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:32:09 -0800

The voters of Massachusetts spoke clearly Nov. 4 on the topic of marijuana: They want simple possession treated as a civil infraction, more like a parking ticket than a serious crime, with a maximum fine of $100. Other laws involving marijuana stay in place, and those under 18 caught with less than an ounce of pot are required to attend a drug-education course as well as pay the fine.