Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Massachusetts Allows For Legal Marijuana Delivery But Only With Bodycams

Massachusetts is the only state that demands marijuana delivery drivers wear body cameras when making a drop.

With our love of delivery and being able to purchase anything from the comfort of our couch, it was only a matter of time before marijuana home delivery became a topic worth discussing.

Recreational marijuana is legal in 11 states, with variations between the laws in each one. Some of these states allow for marijuana home delivery, including those with the biggest marijuana markets, such as Nevada, California and Oregon. Home delivery has stirred some predictable issues, with some California residents criticizing the fact that marijuana can be delivered to neighborhoods and areas where the drug was banned.

Massachusetts, however, has taken a different approach, enforcing the use of bodycams on drivers whenever they have to make a delivery. These types of cameras are the ones normally used by policemen.

RELATED: These States Are Most Likely To Legalize Marijuana In 2020

The rule, submitted in November, requires that transactions and customers be filmed, giving law enforcers access to the recordings if there’s a robbery or a felony committed.

“That footage would be protected. It could only be accessed by a court order or a search warrant or through a constitutionally valid search procedure,” explained commissioner Shaleen Title.

Dank Depot/Flickr

In order to comply with the rule, delivery drivers must turn on their cameras when they are out of the vehicle and the recording must be held by the company who made the product for a period of 30 days.

Massachusetts legalized recreational marijuana in 2018, and has since become one of the states with the strictest drug regulations. There are only 26 dispensaries in the state, forcing customers to make long lines due to overcrowding. In many instances, purchasing marijuana illegally is easier and more effective.

RELATED:  I Got Legal Marijuana Delivery For The First Time And This Is What Happened

The use of bodycams was criticized by the cannabis industry, which explained that the measure is expensive, invasive and completely unnecessary. Alcohol deliveries don’t require drivers to wear body cameras. If recreational marijuana is legal, why is there such a fuss about the possible mishandling of a marijuana package?

MUST READ

Can Big Alcohol Help The Cannabis Industry

Marijuana needs friends in Congress, can big alcohol help the cannabis industry expand federally?

MORE BY THIS AUTHOR

The Best Small Ways To Improve Work Productivity

Some days you feel like you are on a hamster wheel, here are the best small ways to improve work productivity.

Don't Miss Your Weekly Dose of The Fresh Toast.

Stay informed with exclusive news briefs delivered directly to your inbox every Friday.

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.