The controversial bid to end Massachusetts’ $1.6 billion annual adult-use marijuana industry claimed yet another significant early victory.
Amid widening accusations of voter fraud, the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts “is confident it has submitted enough signatures to put the question on the ballot” ahead of a Nov. 19 deadline, a campaign spokesperson told The Cannabis Business Times.
Ballot questions filed over the summer by lead sponsor Caroline Cunningham, a member of the state Republican Committee, seek to repeal Chapters 94G and 64N of the state’s General Laws.
If the “Act to Restore a Sensible Marijuana Policy” qualifies for the 2026 ballot and is approved by voters, adult-use cannabis retail sales would be outlawed in Massachusetts- though medical marijuana sales, home cultivation, and “gifting” between adults 21 and over would still be allowed.
Will Massachusetts vote to stop adult-use cannabis sales?
The campaign successfully collected a minimum of 74,574 signatures by Nov. 19 in order to qualify for a local vetting process ahead of another filing deadline Dec. 3, campaign spokesperson Wendy Wakeman told the Business Times.
Organizers have vowed to collect as many as 100,000 signatures.
And that’s despite mounting claims that signature-gatherers are using deceptive tactics to convince voters to sign the petition.
As MJBizDaily reported earlier this month, there are several accounts of campaign workers approaching voters while claiming the petition does something else, such as combat fentanyl or create housing.
Wakeman claimed in an MJBizDaily interview to have no knowledge or involvement with the alleged deceptive tactics. Campaign workers engaging in such behavior are volunteers and not paid signature gatherers, she said.
Cannabis industry advocates aren’t convinced.
Bid to stop Massachusetts adult-use marijuana sales accused of fraud
Such acts constitute voter fraud, according to the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association, a statewide trade group.
It remains unclear what recourse cannabis advocates could pursue if the repeal campaign does indeed advance.
Using false claims to woo voters to sign is a protected free-speech activity under Massachusetts state law.
However, voters could petition local authorities to have their signatures removed and the petition disqualified if they feel they signed under false pretenses, elections observers have said.
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