Ten years after Massachusetts voters chose to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries across the Commonwealth, Question 8 in the upcoming state general election is seeking to reverse that approval and shutter the pot shops.
Proponents of the question argue that the proliferation of marijuana dispensaries has increased use and addiction to unexpected and unintended levels at a time when products have become more potent, and the effects of marijuana use are a growing threat to public safety.
Those opposed to the question argue that legalized sales provide both a regulation of the product and help fund educational and addiction services for those who would otherwise seek the drug out on the black market. They also cite the tax revenue — estimated at about $280 million locally and statewide in 2025 — and other job and ancillary business creation that would go away if the cannabis doors are closed.
"This question is not about cannabis or no cannabis," said Ryan Dominguez, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cannabis Coalition in a recent WGBH-FM forum. "This is about saving the regulated market that is testing products, educating (consumers) on them, and investing in things like substance-addiction services.
"Let's save the thousands of jobs of Massachusetts residents and the hundreds of local businesses that have invested their life's savings into this."
Stephen Kronberg, who said he was formerly part of the consumer products industry and now works in addiction services at Beverly Hospital following the death of a family member, countered that marijuana addiction is contributing to a "major healthcare crisis that is causing catastrophic psychiatric issues."
"Drugged driving is a big issue," he continued in the forum. "If you look at just some of the behavioral surveys, 80 percent of drivers that smoke pot on any given day will go out and drive that day. Fifty percent of those drivers will drive within one hour."
The proposed law change would still allow those 21 or older to possess 1 ounce or less of marijuana, with a fine of $100 for possession between 1 and 2 ounces.
It would also preserve medical marijuana cards, which Kronberg argued are relatively easy to get for anyone with a condition for which the drug is shown to provide relief. Current dispensaries would be able to apply for an expedited license to become a medical marijuana facility.
Medical marijuana is not subject to tax collection in Massachusetts.
The state was slow to implement the application of legalized marijuana shops as regulations were set up in the wake of the 2016 ballot initiative. But last year an expansion of the law was approved that would allow for so-called "pot cafes" and locally approved pot usage in designated areas with a permit in the same way a group or brewery may apply for a one-day liquor license for a festival or event.
"We're making sure customers are not getting a product that is not tainted with other things," Dominguez said. "For example, if they were getting it off the street, it could be tainted with fentanyl, really hard drugs. It also tests for things like yeast and mold, and other bacteria that are harmful for digestion.
"We're making sure that the products that people are getting are safe and tested."
Dr. Jeffrey Morgan, a Beverly resident who is a retired instructor at the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, said the tax revenues are more than offset by the harmful true financial and human costs of making the drug so accessible.
"For every $1 gained in tax revenue, taxpayers spend $4.50 to mitigate the effects of legalization from societal expenses including increased healthcare, lost productivity, and crime (like DUI's)," he wrote in the official ballot explanation from the MA Secretary of State's Office. "Modern concentrates and edibles have been linked to mental health conditions like psychosis, severe anxiety, and schizophrenia, particularly in young adults.
"As a result of commercial marijuana, ER visits in Massachusetts have drastically increased for teenagers with psychiatric conditions."
If repealed, the proposed law change would take effect on January 1, 2028.
The state general election is on Nov. 3.
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