Massachusetts Ballot Proposals Would Repeal Recreational Marijuana Sales, Impose THC Limits

The measures, submitted by Caroline Cunningham—an activist who previously opposed a psychedelics legalization initiative—would leave the state’s medical marijuana program intact while eliminating adult-use retail sales and home cultivation rights. Adults 21 and older would still be allowed to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, with a limit of five grams for concentrates. Possession of up to two ounces would be decriminalized, subject to a $100 fine. Adults would also still be able to share marijuana without compensation, but all retail activity would be shut down. The proposals would repeal the key provisions of the state’s 2016 voter-approved legalization law, which has generated over $8 billion in adult-use sales since stores opened in 2018.

One version of the initiative includes new potency limits for medical marijuana. It would direct the Cannabis Control Commission to prohibit flower products with more than 30% THC and concentrates with over 60% THC or more than 5mg THC per metered dose. It would also ban products without clearly labeled servings and restrict concentrate packaging to no more than 20 standard doses.

The attorney general’s office is now reviewing all 47 submissions to determine which qualify for the 2026 ballot. Certified measures will then be cleared for signature gathering. Supporters must submit at least 74,574 valid signatures by December 3 to advance.