You can buy pretty much anything online these days. But, should you? When it comes to cannabis, this is up for debate. Regulating marijuana purchases for medical patients vs. recreational customers is two different worlds, and they get a bit complicated — as we see in Massachusetts. Recently, MA announced a new cannabis delivery service for recreational consumers, but the state hasn’t seen much headway. That leaves customers curious: can you buy marijuana online in Massachusetts? Or is it illegal?
To help clear things up a bit, we’re looking into marijuana laws in Massachusetts, specifically analyzing the state’s delivery services. How do they work? Are they available for recreational consumers? What are the risks and rewards?
Let’s get into it.
The Ins and Outs of Buying Marijuana Online in MA
It’s important to note that you can buy marijuana online in Massachusetts if you’re a medical patient, and you’ve been able to for quite some time now. The state recognizes potential accessibility complications with requiring explicitly in-person services. Thus, a handful of medical dispensaries across the state allow this for patients who prefer their cannabis be delivered straight to them.
When purchasing cannabis online, it’s always important to do your research. If you’re looking up a brand you’ve never tried, visit their website first and check the company’s third-party lab-test results and reviews. This way, you know that what you’re getting is high-quality and just what you need.
Even if you’ve shopped from this particular dispensary before, it’s always best to double-check these things simply because you cannot see the product in person until it is delivered.
While only a few dispensaries actually offer cannabis delivery, a lot of them allow you to place your order online and then go pick up the products once they’re ready. This is a great way to save yourself some time, as you can skip the lines and have your cash in hand. However, with this, it is only available for pick-up. Again, this does not mean that the dispensary will hand-deliver you your products — you still have to go grab them!
Massachusetts’ Cannabis Delivery Services
But, can you buy marijuana online in Massachusetts as a recreational consumer? Starting this year, yes, you can.
Not every legalized state offers cannabis delivery services the way that Massachusetts does. In fact, MA’s services are still new to the state itself — in terms of recreational consumption, that is. While the Bay State had perfected the use of delivery systems for medical patients, the idea of expanding to recreational users took quite some time — about a year and a half, to be exact.
How Does It Work?
The way these delivery systems operate isn’t like your typical food or grocery delivery. For both medical patients and recreational consumers, you’ll have to make sure you have some valid forms of ID. With the dispensaries, you’ll have to purchase from them in person first, so they can verify your ID and keep your information on hand. After you’ve done this, the next time you want cannabis, you can place the order and wait for your delivery.
Your cannabis delivery will arrive within an unmarked vehicle. (We know, it sounds a little sketchy.) Here, cannabis delivery people will walk out and retrieve your packaged delivery. You’ll probably notice that they’re wearing body cameras, and they’ll even let you know that they’re recording the interaction for safety and compliance reasons. If anything, this should give you a bit of relief.
During this time, they will double-check your ID to make sure this is your place of residence and that you’re the one who placed the order. As long as everything lines up, you’ll get your products and be on your merry way.
Do keep in mind that these services have strict regulations you must follow. For example, you cannot have your marijuana delivered to hotel rooms, dorm rooms, or any federal-funded housing. You cannot buy marijuana and have it delivered to someone else, either.
Finally, some Massachusetts towns and cities prohibit marijuana sales. In these places, marijuana delivery is (obviously) illegal.
Buying Marijuana Online: The Rewards
As we mentioned before, being able to buy your weed online in Massachusetts does come with massive benefits for those who cannot easily make it to the dispensary. This allows you to enjoy your favorite cannabis products without worrying about how you’ll get there, how accessible the building is, and so on. Instead, you can place an order with confidence and simply meet your delivery driver at the door.
This is also an excellent solution for those who rely on cannabis but may live in rural areas or places not near a dispensary. Unfortunately, you’re not going to find a dispensary in every town and city, making it more challenging for some customers to get what they need.
Instead of making a trip to the dispensary an entire journey, marijuana delivery allows you to stay comfortable at home and have the weed come to you.
…And The Risks
It probably doesn’t come as a surprise to say that buying your marijuana online and having it delivered does pose some risks. Primarily, this is a cause for concern in terms of safety reasons.
People are worried that marijuana delivery may result in an uptick in crimes — robberies, specifically. Though unmarked, these marijuana delivery trucks are high-risk targets for drug traffickers. And, those who purchase from them may place themselves at risk, too, depending on who is watching the transaction.
Besides the criminality speculations, others are concerned that minors may be able to get their hands on cannabis easier this way. However, this is why the state placed limitations on where you can have your weed delivered in the first place.
Finally, buying weed online is risky simply because you cannot see what you’re buying. You don’t want to risk purchasing some sub-par product or even a product that’s clearly expired or gone bad. But, when making that online order, you’re going strictly off of pictures. You may also put yourself at higher risk of being scammed, so always make sure you’re purchasing from one of the two licensed delivery services in Massachusetts.
The Best Choice? Getting Your MMJ Card Online, Of course
So, can you buy marijuana online in Massachusetts? Yes, you can. Should you? The choice is yours. As long as you’re aware of the risks that delivery services may pose, you’re free to purchase your cannabis online and have it shipped right to you. Or, you can place an order to go pick it up! In the world of weed, the opportunities are endless. We just want to help you stay safe.
What do we recommend? Getting your Massachusetts medical marijuana card online! Elevate Holistics is a telehealth platform specializing in helping people like you get their medical cards in states like Massachusetts.
Though our services won’t reach Mass until this fall, we’re here to get you excited about the opportunity. When you book an appointment with Elevate Holistics, you’ll have a one-on-one doctor’s appointment with one of our many board-certified specialists to help you get a recommendation for a medical marijuana card.
Can’t wait until fall? That’s okay! Our friends at Heally can help, too. Click the button below to book an appointment through them and get your MA med card 100% online.
Patient Resources:
Want to know more about weed’s legality in the Bay State? Read our latest blog post for more information.
Find out how you can win $1,000 with Elevate Holistics!
Still have questions about cannabis in Massachusetts? Check out our MA Medical Marijuana FAQ page.
