Massachusetts Voters Will Have The Option to Repeal Recreational Marijuana in 2026

BY ELLA ADAMS

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

The state Elections Division announced Thursday 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.”