Marijuana rollback among advancing ballot questions

Massachusetts voters in 2026 could have the chance to repeal adult-use recreational marijuana.

The state Elections Division announced Dec. 18 that it certified 78,301 signatures backing a petition called “An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy.” The measure aims to roll back recreational cannabis use, but would preserve medical use.

In 2016, 53.7% of voters cast their ballots in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana, while 46.3% of voters opposed it, according to data from Secretary of State Bill Galvin’s office.

An April 2024 poll from the MassInc Polling Group found 65% of respondents thought legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts was the “right decision.” Another 22% of respondents said it was the “wrong decision.”

The measure is one of five that have been officially certified by the secretary of state’s office to move forward in a long process. Petitions need 74,574 certified signatures to proceed in the process.

The office certified 79,032 signatures supporting a petition that would implement an all-party primary system in state elections, and 87,408 signatures for a Galvin-backed measure that would enable people to register and vote on Election Day.

The office certified 88,132 signatures for a petition that would legalize rent increase limits, and 86,970 signatures for one that would reduce the state’s personal income tax rate from 5% to 4%. 

“In total, the Elections Division received eleven ballot question filings of significant size by the December 3, 2025 filing deadline,” the Secretary of State’s office said in a release. “The Division will continue to process the remaining six ballot questions ahead of its January 7, 2026 deadline to transmit qualifying petitions to the Massachusetts Legislature.”

The post Marijuana rollback among advancing ballot questions appeared first on Daily Hampshire Gazette.