Massachusetts
Week in Review: Massachusetts Governor to Pardon Thousands of Cannabis Convictions
In this week’s cannabis news round-up, Massachusetts governor grants pardons for misdemeanor cannabis convictions; Minnesota takes aim at illegal cannabis sales ahead of adult-use market launch; and a new study reveals cannabis offers hope for migraine patients.
Massachusetts Governor to Pardon Misdemeanor Cannabis Convictions
Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey has announced her intention to issue pardons for tens of thousands of individuals convicted of misdemeanor cannabis possession charges spanning back decades. This initiative marks another significant step by a state toward rectifying the injustices faced by low-level drug offenders.
“Massachusetts decriminalized possession for personal use back in 2008, legalized it in 2016, yet thousands of people are still living with a conviction on their records—a conviction that may be a barrier to jobs, getting housing, even getting an education,” the governor said on her reasoning to grant the cannabis pardons.
According to data from the Cannabis Control Commission, Massachusetts issued nearly 69,000 civil or criminal violations for cannabis possession from 2000 through 2013. The administration estimates that the pardons could potentially benefit hundreds of thousands of individuals, offering a chance to overcome the barriers imposed by past convictions.
If ratified, the pardons will extend to all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions for possession of cannabis or a “Class D substance” predating March 13, 2024. Gov. Healey, a Democrat and former state attorney general, emphasized that most individuals affected would not need to take any action to have their criminal records updated.
The pardons hinge on the approval of the Governor’s Council. If approved, they will take immediate effect, albeit requiring time to update criminal records. Gov. Healey highlighted the historic nature of these pardons, likening them to President Joe Biden’s pardoning of federal cannabis possession convictions and urging other governors to follow suit. She underscored the importance of rectifying past injustices, particularly in light of Massachusetts’ decriminalization and subsequent legalization of cannabis.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell, echoing Healey’s sentiments, emphasized the lifelong consequences of convictions for simple cannabis possession, especially for marginalized communities— a stark reminder of the systemic inequalities ingrained in the criminal justice system.
“These consequences are only compounded when you consider that a disproportionate number of those who have been arrested and convicted for cannabis possession are Black and brown people,” Campbell said.
However, pardons don’t extend to other cannabis-related convictions, such as possession with intent to distribute or distribution. Additionally, convictions from jurisdictions outside Massachusetts, including federal court, are not covered by the pardons.
Minnesota Takes Aim at Illegal Cannabis Sales Ahead of Adult-Use Market Launch
Minnesota regulators have taken a firm stance against retailers engaging in the sale of illegal cannabis flower, signaling a crackdown ahead of the anticipated launch of the state’s adult-use cannabis market.
Amidst complaints about the sale of illegal cannabis flower falsely labeled as hemp, the Office of Cannabis Management has initiated robust measures to combat this practice. State health inspectors, previously tasked with monitoring hemp-derived edible products, will now extend their scrutiny to raw flower to ensure compliance with THC potency limits distinguishing hemp from cannabis.
While Minnesota residents aged 21 and above are now legally permitted to use and cultivate cannabis for personal use, commercial sales without a cannabis business license remain strictly prohibited. With the Office of Cannabis Management still in the process of establishing a licensing framework, the sale of cannabis flower without proper authorization is deemed unlawful.
Immediate state inspections of raw cannabis flower are slated to commence, with retailers mandated to furnish lab testing certificates validating THC levels below the legal threshold of 0.3% for hemp products. To improve regulatory oversight, Minnesota is expanding its testing infrastructure for cannabis products, including deploying a mobile field unit.
Interim Director Charlene Briner reaffirmed the office’s unwavering commitment to upholding legal standards within the industry. She emphasized the importance of clear guidance to encourage operator compliance and reiterated that products lacking proper certification would be deemed illegal for sale.
“While this is a temporary issue that will no longer exist once businesses are licensed to sell cannabis flower, OCM’s commitment to ensuring an industry that abides by all legal requirements is steadfast and ongoing,” said Briner. “We’re confident that by providing clear expectations and guidance to businesses, the majority of operators will choose to follow the law.”
Retailers found violating the law face severe penalties, including the seizure of products and fines of up to $1 million. Such infractions could jeopardize an entrepreneur’s prospects of obtaining a cannabis business license, underscoring the significance of adherence to regulatory requirements.
Study: Cannabis Offers Hope for Migraine Sufferers
Recent research published in the journal Neurology Clinical Practice sheds light on the growing trend of migraine patients turning to cannabis for relief.
Conducted by investigators from Yale University’s School of Medicine, the study, titled “Characterizing cannabis use and perceived benefit in a tertiary headache center patient sample,” surveyed responses from 1,373 patients from a tertiary headache center, revealing intriguing insights into the potential benefits of cannabis for migraine management.
According to the study’s findings, just under one-third of respondents admitted to being current cannabis consumers. Among this group, a significant majority reported that cannabis either improved their migraine symptoms or reduced their frequency. More strikingly, 63% of cannabis users noted that their use of the plant allowed them to decrease or even eliminate their reliance on other prescription medications.
“This is the largest study to date to document cannabis product usage patterns and perceived benefits for migraine management in a clinical headache patient sample,” the study’s lead author said. They concluded that a majority of patients surveyed reported positive outcomes from using cannabis products, citing improvements in migraine characteristics, clinical features and associated risk factors.
These findings echo previous research highlighting the potential efficacy of cannabis in treating migraines. A comprehensive literature review in 2002, encompassing nine studies and over 5,600 subjects, revealed that medical cannabis exhibited a significant clinical response by reducing the length and frequency of migraines. The review suggested that medical cannabis therapy could be a valuable option for migraine sufferers due to its effectiveness and convenience.
Massachusetts
Weather alert for fog in 6 Massachusetts counties until early Monday morning
A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Sunday at 4:27 p.m. for fog until Monday at 5 a.m. for Southern Worcester as well as Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.
“The very humid conditions continue overnight, and will lead to more areas of fog. Patchy dense fog is expected, reducing visibility to one quarter mile or less in spots. Travelers should be prepared for rapid drops in visibility. Slow down and allow extra time to reach your destination safely,” according to the weather service.
Guidance from the weather service for navigating foggy conditions
If you must venture out in foggy conditions, keep these safety tips from the weather service in mind:
Moderate your speed:
- Slow down and allocate extra time for your trip to reach your destination safely.
Visibility priority:
- Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which also activate your taillights. If available, employ your fog lights.
Avoid high-beams:
- Refrain from using high-beam lights, as they create glare, making it more difficult for you to see what’s ahead of you on the road.
Keep a safe distance:
- Maintain a generous following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifting traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
- To ensure you are staying in the correct lane, use the road’s lane markings as a guide.
Zero visibility protocol:
- In situations of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a secure location, such as a nearby business’s parking lot, to pull over and come to a stop.
Limited parking options:
- If no parking area is available, pull your vehicle as far to the roadside as possible. Once stationary, turn off all lights except the hazard flashers, engage the emergency brake, and release the brake pedal to ensure your tail lights are not illuminated, reducing the risk of other drivers colliding with your stationary vehicle.
By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
Massachusetts
Police investigating deadly crash on I-495 in Bridgewater
BRIDGEWATER, Mass. (WWLP) – A woman is dead after a car rolled over on I-495 in Bridgewater on Saturday.
According to the Massachusetts State Police, troopers were sent to a single-vehicle crash on I-495 southbound in Bridgewater that left one passenger dead. After a preliminary investigation, it was determined that a 2018 Chevrolet Malibu was driving on I-495 when they drove into the wooded median of the road.
The car rolled over and the driver, a 79-year-old Mashpee man, was taken to the hospital for his injuries. The passenger, 74-year-old Lana Testa, died in the crash.
The left lane of 1-495 was closed for almost four and a half hours. The crash is being investigated by the Massachusetts State Police, the State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, the State Police Crime Scene Services Section, and investigators from the Plymouth County State Police Detective Unit.
Local News
WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.
Massachusetts
Prepare for dense fog in 6 Massachusetts counties until early Sunday morning
A report from the National Weather Service was issued on Sunday at 12:05 a.m. for dense fog until 5 a.m. for Norfolk, Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties.
“Patchy fog is developing across southern New England in areas south of I-90. Visibilities between 1-2 miles are reported, with locally dense fog of less than 1/4 mile. Potential remains for areas of fog to become widespread through early Sunday morning. If so, a Dense Fog Advisory will be considered. Fog may be a hazard to motorist. Dense fog makes it difficult to see what’s ahead, turn on your low-beam lights, drive slowly and with caution,” according to the weather service.
Fog safety: Tips from the weather service for safe travels
If you must drive in foggy conditions, keep the following safety tips in mind:
Moderate your speed:
- Slow down and allow extra travel time to reach your destination safely.
Visibility matters:
- Ensure your vehicle is visible to others by using low-beam headlights, which automatically activate your taillights. Utilize fog lights if your vehicle is equipped with them.
Avoid high-beams:
- Refrain from using high-beam headlights, as they create glare that impairs your visibility on the road.
Keep a safe distance:
- Maintain a significant following distance to account for abrupt stops or shifts in traffic patterns.
Stay in your lane:
- Use the road’s lane markings as a guide to staying in the correct lane.
Visibility near zero:
- In cases of near-zero visibility due to dense fog, activate your hazard lights and seek a safe spot, like a nearby business parking lot, to pull over and stop.
Limited parking options:
- If there is no parking lot or driveway to pull into, pull your vehicle off to the side of the road as far as possible. Once you come to a stop, turn off all lights except your hazard flashing lights, set the emergency brake, and take your foot off of the brake pedal to be sure the tail lights are not illuminated so that other drivers don’t mistakenly run into you.
By adhering to these weather service recommendations, you can navigate foggy conditions more safely, reducing the risk of accidents and ensuring your well-being.
Advance Local Weather Alerts is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to compile the latest data from the National Weather Service.
-
World1 week ago
Tension and stand-offs as South Africa struggles to launch coalition gov’t
-
Politics1 week ago
First 2024 Trump-Biden presidential debate: Top clashes over issues from the border to Ukraine
-
News1 week ago
4 killed, 9 injured after vehicle crashes into Long Island nail salon
-
News1 week ago
Supreme Court denies Steve Bannon's plea to stay free while he appeals
-
News1 week ago
Video: How Blast Waves Can Injure the Brain
-
Politics1 week ago
Trump says 'biggest problem' not Biden's age, 'decline,' but his policies in first appearance since debate
-
News1 week ago
Increasing numbers of voters don’t think Biden should be running after debate with Trump — CBS News poll
-
Movie Reviews1 week ago
Movie review: A Quiet Place, quivering since Day One