Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Massachusetts
In December of 2008, Massachusetts voters voted yes on question 2 on the ballots. Question 2 amends chapter 94C of the General Laws by adding three new sections, 32L through 32N, and amending language of section 34 of chapter 94C to conform to the new law. The new Section 32L changes the possession of an ounce or less of marijuana or THC from a criminal offense to a civil offense, making it punishable by civil penalties and forfeiture of the contraband. For an adult the offense is punishable by a $100 civil penalty and forfeiture of the contraband. What I would like to know is, in the case of an issued citation, whether or not a landlord can or will be notified of the citation and if it is legal for a landlord to impose sanctions and/or evict a tenant for such a civil offense?
1 Answer from Attorneys
it depends on the terms of the lease.