NORTHAMPTON — A 70-year-old Northampton man was arraigned in Northampton District Court Wednesday on a charge of possessing more than 12 marijuana plants in his home.
William Tenanes agreed to admit to the charge and was given six months of unsupervised probation by Judge Jacklyn Connly, who continued the matter without a finding until June 5, 2019.
Recreational marijuana has been legal to grow and possess since December of 2016, but there are still limits to what one can possess, and the case shows that violators are still being prosecuted.
Police say they discovered the plants after they responded to a disturbance at Tenanes’ house on Aug. 26. Tenanes admitted to police to having more than the legal number of marijuana plants. Police say Tenanes had 24 plants and that the grow was visible to the public, which is also not allowed under state law.
Under Massachusetts law, an individual can only possess six mature marijuana plants, and only 12 plants may be grown per household, regardless of how many people live in the home.
The law advises probation on a first offense, with the charge being dismissed upon the probation’s completion. Defendants can be sentenced, however, to up to six months in jail.
Bera Dunau can be reac hed at bdunau@gazettenet .com.