Lighting up on the right side of the law

Who can use recreational marijuana?

In Massachusetts, marijuana use is legal for adults 21 and older.

Purchasing marijuana for, or knowingly allowing the consumption of marijuana by, individuals under 21 is prohibited.

Where can I use marijuana products?

You may not consume marijuana products in public places or on property owned by the federal government. Additionally, property owners have the right to restrict or prohibit the use of marijuana products on their property.

Landlords may prohibit the smoking of marijuana in a rental, but they may not ban tenants from consuming marijuana through other methods, such as edibles.

Employers are free to set their own policies on marijuana use by their employees both on and off company property. You can still be fired for consuming marijuana products if it goes against your employer's rules, even if you consumed those products legally.

How much marijuana can one person possess?

You may have up to one ounce of marijuana on your person at one time. Of that amount, no more than five grams may be marijuana concentrate.

You may have up to ten ounces in your home, as well as any marijuana produced by plants grown and harvested in the home.

If there is more than one ounce of marijuana products in your home at a given time, it must be in a locked, secure location.

What are the rules for marijuana on the road?

Operating a vehicle while under the influence of marijuana is illegal, as well as an emphatically bad idea. Catch a bus, summon a ride share, call in the favor that one friend still owes you — just stay out of the driver's seat.

You may transport marijuana products in your vehicle as long as they are in a closed container and secured outside of the passanger compartment in the glove compartment or trunk.

Can I give marijuana as a gift?

You may give up to one ounce of marijuana to another adult as a gift, as long as the gift is not advertised or promoted to the public in any way.

You may not give marijuana as a "gift with purchase," or offer marijuana as a reward for buying something. If you want to trade marijuana products for actual money, you'll need to do it the hard way, with the proper licensing and approvals.

How many marijuana plants can I grow?

An individual 21 or older can cultivate up to six marijuana plants in their home.

A household with more than one adult over 21 may keep no more than 12 marijuana plants at a time.

Home marijuana plants must be protected by a lock or security device, and must not be visible from a public place without the help of optical aids, like binoculars.