Ballot Initiative in Massachusetts Seeks to Repeal Adult-Use Cannabis Law 

A ballot initiative proposed in Massachusetts seeks to repeal the state’s adult-use cannabis law that was approved by voters in 2016. The proposal by Caroline Cunningham comes in the form of two proposed laws, which are both titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy,” and would end retail cannabis sales and the right by adults to cultivate cannabis at home. 

The proposals are signed by 14 other Massachusetts voters. Both of the laws would decriminalize possession of more than one ounce but less than two ounces, and a violation of the law would be a civil offense with a $100 fine. Adults would still be able to gift cannabis to each other.     

Medical cannabis would also remain legal under the proposals but “version A” would outlaw flower with THC concentration higher than 30%, concentrates with potentcy greater than 60%, and edibles with more than 5 milligrams of THC per serving. “Version B” would taks the Cannabis Control Commission and the state health department with ensuring “that the production and distribution of medical use marijuana is effectively regulated” but does not outline prodyct potentcy limits.    

In order to get an issue on ballots in Massachusetts, the attorney general’s office must first review whether the petitions meet certain constitutional requirements to be filed with the Secretary of the Commonwealth, which will announce whether it’s been approved for certification on September 3. If the initiative petition for a proposed law is approved, the initiative’s proponents are required to gather 75,574 signatures from registered voters to file with the Secretary of the Commonwealth by December 3. Once the signatures are verified, the proposal is sent to the state Legislature in January for its approval. If lawmakers does not enact the proposal, the proponents then must gather an additional 12,429 signatures from registered voters by July 1, 2026, to place the initiative on the November 2026 ballot.