On April 19, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that the odor of marijuana is not enough to cause police to suspect criminal activity. Many celebrated the following day, April 20, traditionally an unofficial “holiday” for pot enthusiasts.
Here in Boston, marijuana proponents took to Boston Common, where many of them smoked pot openly. Since the passage of Ballot Question 2 in 2008, possession of less than an ounce of marijuana is just a civil offence, like a parking ticket, punishable by a simple fine.
Over the last few years, many New England states have relaxed their marijuana policies — medical marijuana dispensaries opened earlier this year in Maine and three “compassion centers” are set to open in Rhode Island.
We explore the legal and social changes that have possibly brought marijuana use further into the mainstream.
CONTINUE READING: Thoughts On Marijuana Changing All Over New England
WBUR, April 21, 2011