Question 8End retail sales of recreational marijuana
Read the full text of the measure: Information for Voters page for this question
In plain words
Ends legal store sales of recreational marijuana. Adults could still have small amounts, and medical marijuana stays legal. (sec.state.ma.us )
Before and after
| Today | If YES wins | |
|---|---|---|
| What the rule is | Adults 21 and older can buy marijuana at licensed stores, which are regulated and taxed. | Recreational stores would end on January 1, 2028. Adults 21+ could have up to 1 ounce (no more than 5 grams of concentrate) and give that much to other adults. Having 1 to 2 ounces would bring a $100 civil fine. Stores could apply fast to become medical dispensaries. The Cannabis Control Commission would regulate only medical marijuana. |
Numbers from the official ballot title (ballot title ); also see
Example
Illustration only: an adult who now buys at a local store could, after 2028, no longer buy there unless they qualify as a medical patient. (sec.state.ma.us )
Biggest change
- Repeals retail sale, regulation, and tax of adult-use marijuana source: sec.state.ma.us
- Adults may possess up to 1 oz (5 g concentrate) source: sec.state.ma.us
- $100 civil fine for 1 to 2 oz source: sec.state.ma.us
- Under-21 civil penalties source: sec.state.ma.us
- Stores may convert to medical dispensaries source: sec.state.ma.us
- Effective January 1, 2028 source: sec.state.ma.us
Who it affects most: Adult marijuana users, marijuana businesses and workers, medical patients, state and town budgets.
Cost to the state: The Executive Office of Administration and Finance says the state and towns would lose marijuana sales tax revenue: about $280 million to the state and $50 million to towns in fiscal year 2025.
Our plain-words summary. Every line points to its source.
What your vote means
Ends retail sale of adult-use marijuana and changes possession penalties.
No change to marijuana law.
Our one-line summary. The state's Information for Voters booklet has the official statements of what a YES and a NO vote would do.
Why people want it, and why others object
Why this is on the ballot
Voters put this on the ballot by signing a petition. It changes a state law, which lawmakers can later change. It passes with more YES than NO votes, and YES votes from at least 30% of all voters who cast a ballot.
- The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions recommended no action, citing unclear implementation details, possible loss of public health safeguards, and revenue effects. source: sec.state.ma.us
Why supporters want it
- Official argument by Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, MD (Ret.), Coalition For a Healthy Massachusetts: keeps possession and medical marijuana legal while ending commercial stores; claims marijuana is the drug most often found in fatal state car crashes; claims every $1 in tax revenue costs $4.50 in social costs; links strong products to psychosis in young adults. source: sec.state.ma.us
Why opponents object
- Official argument by Ryan Dominguez, Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition: current law requires testing, labeling, and sales only to adults 21+; repeal would push sales to an illicit market with no safeguards; police would spend time on arrests; would close hundreds of small businesses and cut jobs and tax revenue. source: sec.state.ma.us
Who backs each side
- Coalition For a Healthy Massachusetts (Dr. Jeffrey Morgan) source: sec.state.ma.us
In each side's own words where we could find them, quoted or summarized with a link to the source. We don't endorse either side.
What you will see on your ballot
Official ballot wording, word for word (tap to open)
The official ballot title, word for word from the Secretary of the Commonwealth's Information for Voters .
Question 8: Law Proposed by Initiative Petition. Prohibit Retail Sale of Adult Recreational Use Marijuana
Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 6, 2026?
YES
NO
Official summary by the Attorney General (tap to open)
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.(sec.state.ma.us )
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.
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