Massachusetts Recreational Cannabis Laws FAQ

Updated April 21, 2024

Is marijuana legal in Massachusetts?

• Yes.

Is marijuana legal for recreational use in Massachusetts?

• Yes. As of July 28, 2017, it is legal for adults 21 and over to purchase, possess, and consume marijuana for recreational use in Massachusetts.

I am not a resident of Massachusetts. Can I buy marijuana?

• Yes. Anyone over the age of 21 can purchase, possess, and consume marijuana for recreational use in Massachusetts, including out-of-state and out-of-country residents.

Do I need a medical card or special identification to buy marijuana?

• No. You only need to prove you are over the age of 21. You can do this with a driver’s license, state-ID, or passport.

Where can I buy marijuana in Massachusetts?

• There are recreational marijuana dispensaries (pot shops) throughout the state. These shops are different from medical marijuana dispensaries and have a different type of license to sell to recreational customers. While many pot shops are both medical and recreational, not all are. To help you find the recreational shops, we have a complete directory of recreational weed dispensaries in Massachusetts.
  

Can I get marijuana delivery in Massachusetts?

• Yes. The state of Massachusetts allows recreational marijuana delivery to both residents and non-residents, but only to counties and cities that have legalized recreational marijuana sales. Also, weed delivery can only be made to a residential address (except they cannot delivery to college dormitories). So, Massachusetts dispensaries can’t deliver to hotels, but they can deliver to residential vacation rental properties (AirBnb or VRBO). Some recreational marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts currently offer licensed and legal delivery.

 What kind of marijuana can I purchase in recreational pot shops?

• Every type of cannabis product can be purchased including: marijuana flower, hash oil, edibles, cannabis-infused drinks.

How much marijuana can I buy in Massachusetts?

• You can purchase up to one ounce (28 grams) of marijuana flower, 5 grams of extract or concentrate per day at one store.

How much marijuana can I possess?

• Any adult over the age of 21 can possess up to one ounce of marijuana in public except that not more than five grams of marijuana may be in the form of marijuana concentrate. You may possess up to 10 ounces of flower in private (in your home).

Can I possess marijuana anywhere in the state?

• Almost anywhere. National parks, national monuments, and national forests are Federal lands and you cannot legally possess marijuana on Federal land. You can’t possess marijuana on a school property.

Can I possess marijuana in a car?

• Yes. You can possess marijuana in a car, however, it must be stored in a closed container in the trunk or a locked glove compartment.

Can I smoke marijuana while driving?

• No. You cannot smoke while driving and you cannot drive stoned. Both are illegal.

Where can I smoke marijuana in Massachusetts?

• You can smoke marijuana on any private property where marijuana consumption is allowed and not in the public view.

Can I smoke marijuana in public?

• No, not legally. You must be on private property where marijuana consumption is allowed and not in a public place.

Can I smoke marijuana in my hotel?

• Yes, some hotels allow it. But, there are also hotels that don’t. Check with your hotel for their policy. Typically, you would need to get a smoking room or have an outside area where pot smoking is allowed. Check our Massachusetts recommended hotels directory for hotels with private balconies and smoking rooms.

Can I smoke my marijuana with someone under 21?

• No. It is illegal for people under 21 to buy, possess or use retail marijuana. It is illegal for anyone to give, sell to, or share marijuana with anyone under 21.

Can I take marijuana from Massachusetts out of state?

• No. You cannot take marijuana from Massachusetts outside of the state. You cannot cross the border with it and you can’t fly with it outside of the state. Finish it before you leave.

This is just a general guide and is NOT intended as legal advice. For more information on Massachusetts laws, visit the state’s official website: masscannabiscontrol.com/know-the-laws/ .