cannabisnews.com: New Pot Rules in Mass. May Allow Having Hashish





New Pot Rules in Mass. May Allow Having Hashish
Posted by CN Staff on December 29, 2008 at 13:06:12 PT
By Glen Johnson, AP Political Writer
Source: Associated Press
Boston, MA -- 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 applies to other drugs with the same psychoactive ingredient, according to guidelines obtained Monday by The Associated Press.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.
Voters passed a referendum in November that replaces the criminal penalties for having up to an ounce of pot with a civil penalty of a $100 fine and forfeiture of the drug. The law takes effect Friday, and law enforcement agencies have been awaiting a guide to its practical enforcement.State officials expect that the judiciary will eventually have to answer specific questions about the law's scope.The guidelines make clear the new law does not change existing laws prohibiting the distribution of marijuana or operating a motor vehicle under its influence. In addition, they say all law enforcement officers with civil enforcement powers — including campus officers — have the authority to issue tickets.The guidelines also note the law allows cities and towns to pass ordinances or bylaws banning the public use of marijuana, even if having an ounce of it is decriminalized."EOPSS recommends that municipalities enact such bylaws or ordinances and provide police with the option of treating public use as a misdemeanor offense," the guidelines said.The document includes a sample bylaw prepared by Attorney General Martha Coakley.Source: Associated Press (Wire)Author: Glen Johnson, AP Political WriterPublished:  December 29, 2008Copyright: 2008 The Associated Press CannabisNews -- Cannabis Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/cannabis.shtml
Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help




Comment #11 posted by Commonsense on December 31, 2008 at 11:35:14 PT
rchandler
I haven't seen any hash in my area in ages. It used to be pretty common around here in the seventies and maybe a little in the early eighties, but now almost all the cannabis on the streets is Mexican brick, and there's a little of the overpriced indoor grown bud and some outdoor grown bud in the fall. What little hash makes it here goes quickly to the close circle of friends of whoever brings it in. Growers who make their own are probably keeping it for themselves. It's just not very common in most parts of the country from what I understand. And it's just pot without a lot of the green vegetable matter. Most of it is produced in places like Morocco and on average it isn't much stronger than decent Mexican brick weed. The strongest imported hash is rarely as strong as the best indoor grown bud, and hash made by indoor growers is exceedingly rare and incredibly expensive if you can find it for sale. This is much ado about nothing.  
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #10 posted by rchandar on December 30, 2008 at 23:18:08 PT:
CommonSense
Doesn't matter, in their eyes. For the USG, hash is a processed drug, a "drug" in the "true" sense of the word--same as cocaine or heroin. Of course, the myth is (and its a myth) is that hash sellers come from a tougher mob than those who sell MJ. Unless you live in the West, in certain places, you'll get it from Corleone's people--not from the nice college boys who are trying to make a buck or twenty or so for their weekends. Big difference--or is it?
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #9 posted by ChristenMitchell on December 29, 2008 at 21:47:36 PT:
Taste the Hashish, Guest of mine - Dumas
In Boulder Hashish is on the rise. Spasmodic at best the last 3 decades it's gaining popularity. Dispensaries can't keeps it in stock. Priced generally $15-20. I saw some Moroccan recently that had run $35 a gram. Amazing! 
Anti-DrugWar.org - Graphic Resistance
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #8 posted by rchandar on December 29, 2008 at 19:51:49 PT:
Hmmm...
It's a good idea. Hashish isn't very common in the US, but in cities like Boston it probably does exist--smuggled, of course, from Europe, Asia, or Africa. Usually MJ sentencing guidelines are much harsher for hash--even in decrim states like California, one may be cited for 30 grams of pot, but only 5 grams of hash. The idea, however, may not mean too much. It's very seldom that the toker will even hear of hash, unless s/he gets on a plane and goes out of the US.--rchandar
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 29, 2008 at 18:44:52 PT
 Treeanna
Thank you. I just spent time voting on the questions. There were some really good ones.
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #6 posted by The GCW on December 29, 2008 at 18:40:02 PT
Denver Post runs it.
Webpage: http://www.denverpost.com/search/ci_11330529Pubdate: 29 Dec. 2008
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #5 posted by Commonsense on December 29, 2008 at 17:05:51 PT
So what...
They call hash an "other drug" as if it is a whole different drug than plain old marijuana. They probably don't know how it is made or that a lot of the imported hash you'll find on the street isn't as strong as better quality buds that tend to be much more easily available than hash. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #4 posted by Treeanna on December 29, 2008 at 16:20:53 PT
OT - Obama is taking comments and votes again
Go here to post your thoughts, and to vote on what others are saying:http://change.gov/page/content/openforquestions20081229/I used the search terms "drug war" and "marijuana" to make my life easier :)
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #3 posted by Sam Adams on December 29, 2008 at 15:25:27 PT
allow
interesting - this paper had no problem inserting the word "include" instead of lying with "allow"http://www.masslive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-37/1230578948208680.xml&storylist=massnews
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #2 posted by museman on December 29, 2008 at 13:53:16 PT
Freedom
My musical opinion.
Freedom
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #1 posted by dongenero on December 29, 2008 at 13:20:19 PT
May allow hashish.....?
....So what?And let's be clear, or rather why doesn't the Associated Press be clear.They are not "allowing" marijuana or hashish. They fine and confiscate if you have less than an ounce. That is NOT "allowing". If you have more than an ounce you are in legal trouble.And yes, hashish falls under the same laws as cannabis.And isn't it nice that the EOPSS (your rulers) suggest using municipalities' relatively low profile to thwart the will of the voters. Nice.
[ Post Comment ]


Post Comment