A campaign attempting to repeal Massachusetts’ recreational marijuana industry says it is on track to qualify its initiative for the November 2026 ballot.
Backers of the Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy must submit around 75,000 valid signatures by December 3. Organizers say they are aiming for 100,000, with spokesperson Wendy Wakeman telling the Cannabis Business Times that “The signature phase is going well. It’s on track”.
If the measure does reach the 2026 ballot, it would mark the first time any state has voted on overturning an existing marijuana legalization law.
The measure, led by state Republican Committee member Caroline Cunningham, would repeal Chapters 94G and 64N of the state’s General Laws, effectively shutting down the legal marijuana retail market. Home growing and gifting between those 21 and older would remain legal, while medical marijuana sales would continue.
Proponents of repealing legalization face an uphill battle: Polling from last year found that 79% of voters believe the state’s legalization law has had a positive impact, with 65% saying it was the right decision (compared to just 22% who said it was the wrong choice).
When asked “How do you think the state’s system for regulating the sale of marijuana products has been going so far?”, 20% said “Excellent”, 39% said “Good”, 20% said “Fair”, and just 9% said “Poor”.
