Massachusetts House Enacts Cannabis Modernization Bill With Emergency Preamble

BOSTON — April 9, 2026 — Massachusetts House passes cannabis modernization bill with emergency preamble, taking immediate effect. The House of Representatives enacted House Bill 5350, an act modernizing the Commonwealth's cannabis laws, during an April 9 informal session, with the emergency preamble approved by a count of three in the affirmative and zero in the negative, bypassing the standard 90-day implementation delay. Speaker Ronald Mariano of Quincy offered the adjournment order at the close of proceedings. Representative Jessica Ann Giannino of Revere moved suspension of rules to advance seven local-government bills to third reading, covering municipalities including Boston, Attleboro, Westfield, Uxbridge, Norwood, Rutland, and Stowe. Four additional local bills — affecting Sandwich, Longmeadow, Southbridge, and Salem — passed to be engrossed on voice votes.