Cannabis sector gets vote of confidence

BOSTON (SHNS) – While the election invoked a “blue wave” of wins by Democrats across the country, Massachusetts saw a “green wave” of sorts with far more voters supporting the retail cannabis industry than they did a decade ago.

More than 75% of voters rejected Question 8 that sought to effectively repeal the state’s recreational marijuana industry. That’s up from the more than 53% of voters who supported the industry’s creation in 2016.

Also, 91 municipalities where voters rejected establishing the retail cannabis market ten years ago voted this month to preserve it, according to data from the Cannabis Control Commission. Now almost all of the state’s 351 cities and towns back keeping the industry, according to the Associated Press (there is no data yet New Ashford).

CCC Executive Director Travis Ahern said that the results are notable for regulators because there is “significant local control that is involved in the statute” and there are efforts to expand the market through implementing a framework for cannabis consumption in social settings.

“Hopefully this will give local leaders somewhat of a direction now on where their local voters are on this issue,” he said during a CCC meeting on Thursday.

While the measure was failed here, there are similar repeal efforts underway. In Maine, the Secretary of State recently allowed petitioners to begin collecting signatures for a repeal question that would go before voters on the Nov. 2, 2027 ballot, according to WMTW News 8 Portland.

Also, almost 53% of voters in Haverhill opted into allowing on-site marijuana consumption – marking the first local ballot question on the issue, Ahern said. Municipalities must opt in of allowing social consumption sites and local leaders have a large say over what it would look like in their city or town.

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