Massachusetts May Repeal Legal Marijuana Sales: What’s Holding It Back
A proposed ballot initiative could potentially repeal the state’s law allowing for legal marijuana sales, but it still has a long way to go before making it to the ballot. The initiative, titled “An Act to Restore A Sensible Marijuana Policy,” would continue the state’s medical marijuana program while repealing the section of state law governing recreational pot.
The proposal was submitted by Caroline Alcock Cunningham, a member of the Massachusetts Republican State Committee, who aims to eliminate recreational marijuana stores. While Cunningham is not opposed to marijuana itself, she believes that its sale at dispensaries should be stopped.
Massachusetts voters legalized recreational cannabis in 2016, with 53% of the vote. The proposed initiative would follow the same legislative process as previous ballot questions, which have addressed issues such as taxes and education.
To qualify for the ballot, the initiative must first be reviewed by the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, which is currently reviewing nearly 50 proposals. If approved, the initiative would then need to collect over 74,000 signatures from registered voters, which must be approved by local election officials and filed with the Secretary of State’s Office by December.
If the initiative collects enough signatures, the Legislature would have the opportunity to pass the measure. If lawmakers decline, the proposal would still need more than 12,000 additional signatures to make the November 2026 ballot.
The state’s cannabis industry has seen significant growth, with cumulative sales surpassing $8 billion earlier this summer. However, the price of marijuana has dropped to its lowest point since legalization. The outcome of the proposed initiative remains uncertain, but it is likely to be a contentious issue in the upcoming election.
