Massachusetts
General
Jun 2022
3 min

Is Cannabis Legal in Massachusetts?

Adult use

Answer

Both recreational and medicinal cannabis are legal in Massachusetts.

Why this is important

Whether a state has medical or recreational cannabis use and sale allowed is important to any current or prospective cannabis business owner because the status of the cannabis regulations largely impacts the business's consumer base.  Once a state allows recreational (adult use) cannabis, the potential consumer base sky-rockets to include any adult over 21+.  Massachusetts had a rough start at their recreational cannabis program and were unable to adequately serve consumer.  Some of the kinks have been worked out and the dispensaries are operating more efficiently now.

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Regulatory Citations for This Article

Recreational (Adult use)

Chapter 334: THE REGULATION AND TAXATION OF MARIJUANA ACT
Section 1.  The purpose of this Act is to control the production and distribution of marijuana under a system that licenses, regulates and taxes the businesses involved in a manner similar to alcohol and to make marijuana legal for adults 21 years of age or older. Its intent is to remove the production and distribution of marijuana from the illicit market and to prevent the sale of marijuana to persons under 21 years of age by providing for a regulated and taxed distribution system. To the fullest extent possible, its terms are to be interpreted in accordance with the purpose and intent set forth in this section.

Medical

Chapter 369: AN ACT FOR THE HUMANITARIAN MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA.

Section 1. Purpose and Intent.
The citizens of Massachusetts intend that there should be no punishment under state law for qualifying patients, physicians and health care professionals, personal caregivers for patients, or medical marijuana treatment center agents for the medical use of marijuana, as defined herein.