Joint Committee Hears Calls to Repeal Massachusetts Recreational Cannabis Law

BOSTON — March 23, 2026 — Massachusetts lawmakers heard sharply divided testimony Monday on a ballot petition that would repeal the state's recreational cannabis law. The Special Joint Committee on Initiative Petitions took up initiative petition number 2510, House Bill 5002, with Senate chair Brendan Crichton and House chair Kate Hogan presiding. Expert witness Jessica Tro of the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center testified that the industry has generated nearly $2 billion in revenue since 2016, including nearly $200 million in municipal cannabis taxes and $850 million from the state excise tax. Ballot committee spokesperson Wendy Wakeman argued legalization has harmed public health and quality of life, but conceded under questioning from Representative David Vieira that the initiative "would not have made it to the ballot" without paid signature gatherers funded by $1.55 million in donations from SAM Action Incorporated, a Virginia-based 501(c)(4). Industry opponents of the repeal — including STEM dispensary owner Caroline Pinot of Haverhill and Levia co-founder Kristen Rogers of Georgetown — warned the measure would eliminate more than 14,000 jobs and dismantle a social equity fund that has directed nearly $30 million to businesses from communities harmed by the war on drugs.