Here in Massachusetts, medical cannabis has been legal since December 15, 2016. Individuals aged 17 or older with a state medical marijuana card can legally purchase and possess cannabis in the following quantities and locations:
- 10 ounces inside a primary residence
- 1 ounce outside the primary residence, or no more than 5 grams of marijuana concentrate
- 12 marijuana plants inside a primary residence
That’s the state law. In addition to the 10 things every “budding cannabis user” needs to know before making a purchase, you also need to consider the fact that according to federal law, cannabis is still illegal. At Revolutionary Clinics, we want you to be 100% confident in your cannabis purchase so that you can enjoy the best possible benefits in the short-term as well as the long-term. Here are some other legal factors and lifestyle choices to consider:
What is your company’s policy on cannabis?
If you have a state medical marijuana card, you can’t be fired for using medical cannabis, even if your company has a drug policy. Recreational cannabis is a different story and while it is scheduled to become legal this year, you’ll definitely want to consult your HR department or a lawyer to make sure you don’t put your career at risk if your employer has a drug policy. If your company doesn’t have a drug policy, you’ll still want to be sure you follow their rules and/or code of conduct.
Do you travel outside of Massachusetts regularly?
If you’re on the road beyond the borders of the Bay State, you’ll want to be very careful about not taking your cannabis with you. This is especially important if you use cannabis for pain relief. Whether it’s a prescription pain reliever or over-the-counter drug, be sure to have a dependable back-up plan when you travel.
What will your friends and family think?
From a Presidential candidate reluctantly admitting he tried cannabis to celebrities and sports stars publicly and passionately advocating for legalization, America’s attitudes towards cannabis have come a long way since the hysteria-spreading days of Reefer Madness. The therapeutic benefits of medicinal marijuana have been supported in reputable circles for decades and when Colorado made recreational cannabis legal in 2012, the entire country took note. Cannabis has never been more accepted but that doesn’t mean your friends and family will automatically support your decision. Talk to them before and after you visit our clinic to make sure they’re as comfortable with your use of cannabis as you are. And if they’d rather not be around when you use cannabis, use that knowledge to choose the most discrete THC product or a CBD product that works best for you.
Are you planning to buy a gun?
Every American has the right to keep and bear arms under the Second Amendment but as WBUR recently reported, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives added a new question to the Firearms Transaction Report. This question asks if you are “an unlawful user or addicted to, marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug or any other controlled substance?” Even if you purchase cannabis legally in Massachusetts, answering “no” to this question could put you at risk if you’re planning to buy a gun.
Do you have other questions or concerns about using cannabis that are preventing you from making a decision? Please stop by one of our clinics or give us a call at 617-213-6006. We’ll be happy to share what we know and make sure you are as comfortable with the moral, ethical and legal aspects of cannabis use as you are with the therapeutic benefits.
