Question 8: Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana

BALLOT LANGUAGE

The proposed law would change the type and amount of marijuana that may legally be possessed in Massachusetts by repealing the laws that legalize, regulate, and tax the retail sale of adult recreational use marijuana in Massachusetts. The proposed law would also permit persons 21 years of age and older to possess 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate, and to gift or transfer to another person 21 years of age and older 1 ounce or less of marijuana including no more than 5 grams in the form of concentrate. The proposed law would also impose a civil penalty of $100 and forfeiture of the marijuana for the possession of marijuana between the weight of 1 and 2 ounces.  

For persons 21 years of age and younger, the proposed law would make the possession of 2 ounces or less of marijuana a civil infraction subject to a $100 fine, forfeiture of the marijuana, completion of a drug awareness program and community service, and notification to their parents or legal guardian of the offense and penalties.  

The proposed law would allow currently licensed adult recreational marijuana businesses to apply on an expedited basis to become a licensed medical marijuana dispensary and to sell their remaining inventory of adult recreational marijuana to medical marijuana dispensaries. The proposed law would retain the Cannabis Control Commission but modify its authority so it would regulate only the medical marijuana market.  

The proposed law states that, if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.  

The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2028. 

ENDORSEMENTS

Yes

Smart Approaches to Marijuana (Other)

American Family Association (Conservative)

Coalition For a Healthy Massachusetts (Other)

No

Marijuana Policy Project (Liberal)

Progressive Massachusetts (Liberal)

SEIU Massachusetts State Council (Liberal)

Retailers Association of Massachusetts (Other)

FINANCIAL BACKING

The following information provides insight into the money being spent to pass or defeat the ballot measure.

Yes

MASSACHUSETTS QUESTION 8, ELIMINATE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES AND ALLOW LIMITED POSSESSION INITIATIVE (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.

Committees formed to SUPPORT the "Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative (2026)" are:

COALITION FOR A HEALTHY MASSACHUSETTS, INC.

Selected Contributions TO: "Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, Inc." include:

  • Sam Action Inc.
  • Americans Against Legalizing Marijuana
  • Jeffrey Freudberg
  • Alexander Breen
  • Brian Kelly
  • James Hoffman
  • Thomas Connors

No

MASSACHUSETTS QUESTION 8, ELIMINATE RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA SALES AND ALLOW LIMITED POSSESSION INITIATIVE (2026)

This question is on the ballot in Massachusetts as an indirect initiated state statute on November 3, 2026.

Committees formed to OPPOSE the "Eliminate Recreational Marijuana Sales and Allow Limited Possession Initiative (2026)" are:

COMMITTEE TO PROTECT CANNABIS REGULATION

Selected Contributions TO: "Committee to Protect Cannabis Regulation" include:

  • INSA
  • Ascend Wellness Holdings, LLC
  • Vireo Health
  • Evergreen Strategies, LLC
  • Retailers Association of Massachusetts
  • Theory Wellness
  • Green Tech Enterprises, Inc.
  • CFG Community Bank
  • Fernway Holdings, LLC
  • Jam Packaging

COMMITTEE FOR KEEP CANNABIS LEGAL, VOTE NO ON 8

Selected Contributions TO: "Committee for Keep Cannabis Legal, Vote No on 8" include:

  • New England Cannabis Convention
  • Numerical, Inc.
  • Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition
  • Kristin Rogers
  • The Shirt Factory
  • Custom Bag Distributing Company, Inc.
  • Lit Alerts
  • Kyle Crossley
  • Wyld
  • Alex Porter

DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISTS AGAINST REACTIONARY ROLLBACKS

Selected Contributions TO: "Democratic Socialists Against Reactionary Rollbacks" include:

  • James Del Bonis

COALITION FOR RESPONSIBLE CANNABIS POLICY

Selected Contributions TO: "Coalition for Responsible Cannabis Policy" include:

  • Diane Goldstein
  • Law Enforcement Action Partnership

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