Marijuana

Marijuana is commonly abused in Massachusetts. The percentage of Massachusetts residents aged 12 or older who reported having abused marijuana in the past month (9.0%) was notably higher than the percentage nationwide (4.8%), according to the 1999 and 2000 NHSDA. According to TEDS data, there were 3,299 marijuana-related admissions to publicly funded treatment facilities in Massachusetts in 2001, an 18 percent decrease from 4,000 in 2000. (See Table 1 in Heroin section.) According to DAWN data, in the Boston metropolitan area marijuana ED mentions increased from 2,945 in 2000 to 3,423 in 2001, and preliminary estimates indicate that there were 1,741 mentions from January through June 2002. The rate of marijuana ED mentions per 100,000 population in the Boston metropolitan area (96) was significantly higher than the rate nationwide (44) in 2001. (See Table 2 in Heroin section.)

Marijuana is the most readily available illicit drug in Massachusetts. FDSS data indicate that federal law enforcement officials in Massachusetts seized 78.5 kilograms of marijuana in 2002. The percentage of drug-related federal sentences in Massachusetts that were marijuana-related in FY2001 (22.3%) was lower than the percentage nationwide (32.8%), according to USSC data. (See Table 3 in Heroin section.)

Most of the marijuana available in Massachusetts is produced in Mexico; however, locally produced marijuana and Canada-produced marijuana also are available. Commercial-grade marijuana available in the state sold for $700 to $1,800 per pound, $125 to $250 per ounce, and $5 per joint in the first quarter of FY2003, according to the DEA Boston Division. Local law enforcement officials report that sinsemilla (high potency marijuana) sold for $3,000 to $4,500 per pound and $400 per ounce during midyear 2002.

Mexican criminal groups are the dominant transporters of marijuana into Massachusetts; however, crews and local independent dealers of various ethnic backgrounds also transport marijuana into the state. Most of the marijuana available in Massachusetts is transported from Mexico via southwestern states, primarily using package delivery services. Additional quantities are transported via private and commercial vehicles and by couriers aboard commercial aircraft. Caucasian criminal groups smuggle high quality Canada-produced marijuana across the U.S.-Canada border primarily via private vehicles and couriers on foot. Once across the border, the marijuana is transported by private vehicle into Massachusetts for distribution.

Caucasian, Dominican, Jamaican, and Hispanic criminal groups are the principal wholesale-level distributors of marijuana in the state. Local independent dealers of various ethnic backgrounds are the primary retail-level distributors. Marijuana typically is sold from private residences as well as at bars and nightclubs and on college campuses. Marijuana sold at the retail level usually is packaged in plastic bags or sold as joints. 

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