Massachusetts AG Greenlights Bold Bid to Ax $1.6B Cannabis Market

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September 08 2025

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell has certified a fiery 2026 ballot petition to dismantle the state’s thriving adult-use cannabis industry, a move that could make history as no state has reversed legalization after building a regulated market.

On Sept. 3, Campbell approved two versions of the petition, titled “An Act to Restore a Sensible Cannabis Policy,” led by prohibitionist Carolina Cunningham, tied to Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

The initiative aims to repeal laws governing Massachusetts’ adult-use cannabis market, which voters legalized with a 54% majority in 2016.

Since 2018, this industry has raked in over $8.3 billion in retail revenue, $900 million in excise taxes, and $540 million in sales taxes, per the Cannabis Control Commission.

It also supports roughly 27,000 jobs, according to Vangst.

Cunningham’s crew must now collect 74,574 signatures by Dec.

3, 2025, to push the petition forward. If the 2026 Legislature doesn’t act by May 6, 2026, another 12,429 signatures are needed by July 1, 2026, to land on the November 2026 ballot.

“I applaud our residents’ civic engagement, with a record 47 petitions filed this year,” Campbell said.

“My office follows strict criteria under Article 48 of the state constitution, setting aside personal opinions.”

Version A of the petition not only targets adult-use cannabis but also slaps potency caps on medical cannabis: 30% THC for flower, 60% for concentrates, and a 5mg THC metered dose limit (max 100mg per package). Version B skips these restrictions but mirrors Version A otherwise, preserving the medical cannabis program.

Both versions decriminalize possession of up to 1 ounce of cannabis or 5 grams of concentrate for adults 21+, allowing gifting between them.

Possessing 1–2 ounces triggers a $100 fine and forfeiture, with under-21s facing a drug awareness program and community service.

Protections ensure cannabis possession under 2 ounces won’t block access to financial aid, housing, driving rights, or medical procedures.

If passed, the law would gut 91% of the regulated cannabis market, per a Cannabis Business Times report, forcing adult-use consumers out of licensed dispensaries.

Licensed businesses could pivot to medical dispensaries on an expedited basis, selling remaining inventory to them.

The Cannabis Control Commission would oversee only the medical market. The law would kick in on Jan. 1, 2028, potentially reshaping Massachusetts’ cannabis landscape., 2028.