Scale with nothing on one end and cannabis flower on the other

Massachusetts Marijuana Laws: Purchase and Possession Limits

Massachusetts residents and out-of-state visitors have been enjoying marijuana in the state for several years now. It’s a popular cannabis tourism destination for its vacation spots and sight-seeing opportunities. In this guide, we’ll share everything you need to know about MA purchase and possession limits, including how much you can purchase, the difference in laws between medical and recreational cannabis, and the types of marijuana products you may want to purchase once you get to the dispensary.


Can I Buy Cannabis in Massachusetts?

This would be an awfully short guide if we answered no. Yes, you can buy cannabis in Massachusetts if you meet one of the following criteria:

  • A certified medical marijuana patient in the state OR
  • An adult over the age of 21 with a valid, government-issued photo ID. 

As long as you meet the criteria for one of these options, you can buy cannabis in MA.

How Much Recreational Marijuana Can I Buy in Massachusetts?

As with most good things, recreational marijuana has limits too. The Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission outlines the rules that both cannabis connoisseurs and dispensaries need to follow in order to do business legally in the state. Here are the amounts you can purchase in the Bay State:

  • Cannabis Flower - You can purchase up to 1 ounces of cannabis flower. This can be premium flower, shake, or any other type of dried cannabis plant material.

  • Concentrates - You can purchase up to 5 grams of concentrates. This includes any type of concentrate on the market, including shatter, budder, resin, live resin, RSO, and more.

  • Edibles - Edibles in Massachusetts are limited to 5mg of THC per single serving. The entire package cannot have more than 20 servings for a combined total of 100mg of THC. With so many types of edibles to choose from, you’re sure to find your favorites and others to try including chocolate bars, gummies, and more.

You also have the option of doing a combination of those limits. For example, you can have half an ounce of cannabis, two single-gram vape cartridges, and a couple edible chocolate bars. Or you could purchase the full limit of your favorite type of concentrate.

Answering FAQs About Cannabis Possession and Purchase Limits in Massachusetts

Whether you’re purchasing medical marijuana to help with symptoms of a condition or enjoying recreational marijuana with your (over age 21+) friends, you need to know the guidelines. Massachusetts makes it easy to find these answers, but we’re making it even easier by outlining them here: 

How much recreational marijuana can I possess in Massachusetts?
The possession limits in Massachusetts are different from the purchase limits. You may carry up to one ounce of marijuana on your person at one time. You may possess up to 10 ounces in your home. 

Can I visit multiple MA dispensaries in one day?
Yes, you can visit multiple Massachusetts dispensaries in one day, but here’s the catch: All dispensaries are connected via an electronic system. This means you can purchase Cape Cod cannabis or Boston cannabis, but each dispensary will know what you purchased and will stop you from purchasing over the legal limit.

What are the limits for medical cannabis in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts distinguishes between medical vs recreational marijuana. According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, patients may possess a 60-day supply of marijuana or up to 10 ounces of medical marijuana. With permission from a certified medical practitioner, patients may be allowed to purchase larger amounts if deemed medically necessary. For more information, visit our Get a Card page.

Know How Much to Purchase Cannabis in Massachusetts

The best thing about shopping for marijuana in Massachusetts is that every dispensary is staffed with knowledgeable experts. Forget how much you are allowed to purchase? Ask a budtender. Need to make sure that you get the right product at the right amount? Ask a budtender. They’re there to help make it easy to get the cannabis and tools you need and enjoy.


Recreational cannabis is not available in all states. Cannabis is for medical use only and may only be used by certified patients in Ohio and Pennsylvania. State laws impact what dispensaries can and can’t sell to recreational customers and certified patients. Not every type of product, consumption method, dosage form, or potency mentioned on this blog will be permitted in all locations.