A growing coalition in Massachusetts is gaining attention as it pushes a significant marijuana rollback proposal toward the 2026 ballot. The group, aiming to dismantle the state’s recreational cannabis industry, is working to meet a key signature deadline this week and says it feels "cautiously optimistic" about clearing the hurdle.
The petitioners behind "An Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy", which would end adult-use recreational marijuana but preserve medical access, plan to file well above the required 74,574 signatures due to local election officials on Wednesday. According to spokesperson Wendy Wakeman, "That's the goal, but again, these races go right up to the wire — it goes right to the wire with the signatures. I would say we're cautiously optimistic about submitting enough signatures that the question will be on the ballot."
Wakeman confirmed that "most" signatures have been collected by professional signature gatherers, a common practice for ballot initiative campaigns in Massachusetts.
In September, Attorney General Andrea Campbell’s office certified the measure as eligible. The proposed marijuana rollback would shut down recreational cannabis while allowing current retailers to apply “on an expedited basis” to convert to medical marijuana dispensaries. It would also retain the Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) but narrow its authority solely to medical regulation.
Wakeman said, "A group of parents and medical professionals, mental health professionals, educators, church leaders got together, and there are ways in which the rollout of recreational marijuana just hasn't worked for people. That has to do with it's unregulated levels of THC in marijuana products. Some of the gummies seemed to be geared toward children."
Although the CCC currently enforces potency limits such as restricting edible packages to 110 milligrams of THC supporters of the initiative remain concerned.
The campaign highlights internal turmoil within the CCC as justification for the marijuana rollback. Wakeman pointed to Treasurer Deb Goldberg’s controversial firing of Chairwoman Shannon O’Brien and broader concerns about political conflicts and product-testing integrity. "There has really been quite a bit of political corruption that surrounds the whole brand new cannabis industry," she said.
Despite these concerns, recreational marijuana has strong public support. A 2024 MassINC poll found 65% of respondents believe legalization was the right decision. Meanwhile, the industry has generated over $8 billion in gross sales.
Gov. Maura Healey recently reinforced her administration’s support for a functional cannabis sector, saying, "Look, cannabis is here in Massachusetts, and I want the cannabis industry to work well to work well for our state, to work well for our economy."
As the signature deadline approaches, debates over the future of recreational cannabis and whether a marijuana rollback should appear on the 2026 ballot continue to intensify across Massachusetts.