A new law taking effect Friday in Massachusetts to end minor marijuana arrests may also apply to hashish, the Associated Press reports.

The law ends criminal penalties for possession of an ounce or less of THC — the primary psychoactive ingredient in marijuana, hashish or hash oil, the AP says.

The new law, passed by referendum in November, carries a civil penalty of $100 and forfeiture of the drug. It also allows all law enforcement officers with civil powers, including campus police, to issue tickets.

But the new rules do not change current laws covering distribution of drugs or DUI cases.

The AP says a final ruling on whether hashish will come under the law's umbrella will eventually be settled by courts.

Posted by Doug Stanglin at 04:02 PM/ET, December 29, 2008 in Crime, Health/Science, Human interest | Permalink

http://blogs.usatoday.com/ondeadline...enient-ma.html

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