From The Boston Globe:

“It’s no longer a crime to have one ounce or less of pot in Massachusetts. The state’s new marijuana decriminalization law, approved by voters in a November referendum, goes into effect today. Those who are caught with an [...]]]> A new law that decriminalizes marijuana goes into effect TODAY across the state of Massachusetts.

From The Boston Globe:

“It’s no longer a crime to have one ounce or less of pot in Massachusetts. 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.”

Boston.com has a great Q&A interview with Gregory I. Massing, an attorney with the state’s executive office of public safety & security, regarding the impact of this new law.

Q: Are people allowed to smoke marijuana in public now as long as it is an ounce or less?

A: The new $100 civil penalty for possession of an ounce or less of marijuana applies to smoking marijuana in public: you can’t smoke it without possessing it. Question 2 gives municipalities the option to pass ordinances or by-laws to make public use of marijuana a crime.

Q: Are people allowed to smoke or use marijuana in private?

A: The same $100 civil penalty applies to smoking or using an ounce or less of marijuana in private. Question 2 did not change the criminal laws prohibiting possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, nor did it change the laws regarding distribution of any amount of marijuana.

Q: Is it legal to buy or sell marijuana?

A: Question 2 did not change the criminal laws prohibiting the distribution, sale, trafficking, or manufacturing of marijuana, or the possession of any amount of marijuana with intent to distribute, sell, traffic, or manufacture. Someone who buys more than an ounce of marijuana can be prosecuted for possessing more than an ounce of marijuana, which is still a crime. Someone who buys an ounce or less of marijuana is subject to the new $100 civil penalty. It is possible that someone who buys any amount of marijuana could be prosecuted for conspiracy to distribute marijuana. The decision whether or not to charge conspiracy is in the discretion of the relevant police department and district attorney’s office.

Q: Do the same laws apply to minors as adults?

A: Yes, except under Question 2 there are additional provisions (including a requirement to attend a drug awareness program) for persons under 18 who possess an ounce or less of marijuana. See our web site for provisions for offenders under 18.

* Fort Collins, Colorado – A Fort Collins couple wants the police to reimburse them $200,000 for their 39 cannabis plants, which were confiscated and died from neglect while in police custody. The LA Times says that , “a year later, the case against the Masterses — who claimed [...]]]> Cannabis news in the other 49 states:

* Fort Collins, Colorado – A Fort Collins couple wants the police to reimburse them $200,000 for their 39 cannabis plants, which were confiscated and died from neglect while in police custody. The LA Times says that , “a year later, the case against the Masterses — who claimed they used the drug for medical purposes — fell apart, and a judge ordered the police to return their property.”

The LA Times with a quote from ASA: “Of the 12 states that have legalized marijuana for medical use, Colorado stands out for its law specifying that police must not “harm, neglect or destroy” seized plants in such cases, said Noah Mamber, legal services coordinator for Americans for Safe Access, an advocacy group.

* Boston – Six people were arrested at a pro-marijuana rally.

* Port Orchard, Washington – The Seattle PI reports that a Kitsap County man has been convicted of growing pot, despite having a doctor’s authorization for medical marijuana under state law.

* USA (general)

The FBI says:

• Marijuana arrests now comprise a shocking 47.5 percent of national drug arrests, up from 43.9 percent in 2006.
• Marijuana arrests in the United States rose 5 percent last year to a record 872,721.
• The 2007 total was more than 43,000 above the previous year’s 829,627 marijuana arrests.