In Massachusetts, a campaign aims to roll back cannabis legalization

A campaign conducted in the Massachusetts aims to repeal certain parts of the law on the legalization of cannabis for recreational use, near’a decade after its adoption by the electorate.

Entitled « An Act to Restore a Sensitive Marijuana Policy »This initiative seeks to dismantle the regulated retail system and put an end to the domestic culture, while maintaining the legality of possession of small quantities.

A movement «on track» for the 2026 ballot

According to the spokeswoman Wendy Wakeman, the campaign is «well underway» to collect 100,000 signatures required before the December 3, 2025. The initiative has been certified for signature collection by the Attorney General Joy Campbell in September, allowing organizers to begin campaigning throughout the state.

To qualify for the voting in 2026, the group must first submit 74,574 valid signatures, with additional signatures to compensate for any invalidations. «Every step in the process is political,» said Ms. Wakeman, citing the influence of health professionals, parents and educators who believe that the 2016 legalization went «too far, too fast».

She says residents are increasingly aware of what she calls the negative effects of the normalization of cannabis, from incidents of driving under the influence of cannabis to «poisoning children and pets». The campaign is intended as a corrective measure to what it sees as a failed experiment.

Eliminate recreational sales, retain medical use

Two versions of the initiative were initially certified, but the campaign decided to focus on the «Version B», which does not include any limits on the THC content medical cannabis. Both versions, though, eliminate the commercial market cannabis for adult use, close dispensaries and ban home cultivation.

Under the proposal, adults aged 21 and over would still be able to own up to one ounce of cannabis (28 grams), including five grams of concentrate, while the possession of one to two ounces would result in a 100 civil fine. Gifts between adults would remain legal.

The medical cannabis program would remain intact, preserving patient access but removing the state retail infrastructure for general consumers.

Negative reaction from industry

The initiative met with strong opposition from the’Massachusetts cannabis industry, which sees it as an attack on the progress made since the legalization in 2016.

Meg Sanders, CEO of Canna Provisions, The Frenchwoman criticized the proposal, claiming that the question of legalization «had already been decided». She added: «I think the voters spoke in 2016 and made it clear what they wanted, which was a regulated cannabis market for adults.»

Sanders also warned of the risks of returning to prohibitionist policies. «I think prohibition in any form is a real threat...any threat to freedom is a threat we need to take seriously,» she said, calling for greater vigilance within the industry.

There have also been reports of signature collectors who allegedly misled voters as to the content of the petition. According to an article published by the editor-in-chief of Talking Joints Memo, one of the petitioners described the initiative as a means of «putting an end once and for all to the criminalization of cannabis», a statement in direct contradiction with the real aim of the measure.

Beyond commercial concerns, state officials warn of potential tax consequences. The Cannabis Control Commission suggested that the abolition of the regulated market could jeopardize tax receipts currently used to finance the addiction treatment, the community reinvestment and other public programs.

Since the start of legal sales in 2018, l’adult-use cannabis industry of the State generated more than $8 billion in revenues, making Massachusetts one of the most prosperous legal markets in the United States. Regulators are also in the process of finalizing the rules governing cannabis lounges, scheduled for launch later this year.

If a sufficient number of signatures is obtained, the measure will be forwarded to the Massachusetts legislature, which will run until May 6, 2026 to enact it or propose an alternative. If the legislators reject it, the organizers will then have to collect 12,429 signatures to guarantee its place on the ballot paper.