Over the past several decades, marijuana has been gradually legalized across the United States, as 40 states have legalized medical marijuana and 24 states have legalized the substance for recreational use. Now, it sounds like one state is considering reversing that law.
After a recent move by activists in the state to potentially force a referendum, there’s a real chance that Massachusetts could become the first state in the United States to repeal a law that allows for the sale of marijuana.
Massachusetts Looks to Repeal
Back in 2016, Massachusetts passed a law through voter referendum legalizing the recreational sale of marijuana in the state. However, the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts claims to have secured enough signatures to force a question on the November ballot.
If the question does make it to the ballot, as expected, it will ask voters whether to repeal state laws legalizing, regulating, and taxing recreational cannabis sales.
“I’m cautiously optimistic and I look forward to voters getting the chance to [debate this],” said Wendy Wakeman, a spokesperson for Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, via The Boston Globe.
If the law is successfully repealed, it would mark the first time that any state in the United States has reversed marijuana legalization.
Facing Strong Pushback
While Wakeman and the group might be cautiously optimistic about their chances, they are receiving some strong pushback from marijuana advocates, who have already put together a competing organization, Stop the Repeal.
Marijuana proponents argue that the recreational sale of marijuana in the state leads to lucrative tax revenue for the state.
“I hope everybody understands how real of a threat it is,” the group’s chairman, Ryan Dominguez, said.
“The fact that we’ve gotten here today is absolutely insane,” said Alex Gonzalez, president of Calyx Containers, a cannabis packaging company founded in Massachusetts.
There is also growing fear amongst marijuana advocates that they could actually lose the vote, especially given the financial backing the group is receiving.
“I’m concerned that we will be outspent,” said Adam Smith, executive director of The Marijuana Policy Project, a nonprofit donor which helped sponsor the 2016 legalization effort in Massachusetts. “We’re going to have to win because we’re right.”
“If we are significantly outgunned and we don’t get our messages out, then there is a risk that they could win,” Gonzalez added.
Needless to say, it’s looking like there’s a real chance marijuana could be repealed in the state. One way or another, we’ll likely find out in November.
This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jun 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.