Massachusetts voters fooled into supporting a controversial ballot initiative that would end the state’s $1.6 billion legal cannabis industry have options.
Anyone lured to sign “An Act To Restore Sensible Cannabis Policy” through allegedly fraudulent means can contact their local town clerk to have their signature decertified, a state industry advocacy group advised Monday.
“Clerks do this every season, they know what to look for when it comes to questionable signatures,” said David O’Brien, president and CEO of the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association.
“If you’re a voter who signed this petition under the impression you were signing for something else, please do not hesitate to contact your local clerk and speak with them.”
Bid to end Massachusetts adult-use cannabis sales mired in controversy
The MCBA’s public plea comes as organizers behind a 2026 ballot adult-use sales claimed another victory.
And it follows a public advisory from state authorities urging voters to read petitions before signing – and contact voter registrars if they suspect a trick.
The Republican Party-connected Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts needed to collect a minimum of 74,574 valid signatures from registered voters by Nov. 19.
That’s in order to advance to a local vetting process ahead of a second filing deadline Dec. 3.
Organizers, who earlier pledged to collect at least 100,000 signatures, claimed to have met their goal amid widening accusations that the campaign is using paid signature gatherers who are deceiving voters into signing petitions.
A recent article in The Boston Globe reported that voters encountered signature gatherers who claimed the cannabis recriminalization petition was actually a push for housing or “safer streets” followed similar reporting in MJBizDaily.
Cannabis criminalization campaign denies fraud accusations
Coalition spokesperson Wendy Wakeman has denied the campaign is involved with deceptive tactics.
But, she told The Boston Globe, voters who did sign under false pretenses only have themselves to blame.
“Even if this is happening, the bottom line is that signing something you didn’t read is not on anybody but you,” she told the newspaper.
According to the MCBA’s O’Brien, that’s a telling sign.
“The fact that the campaign refuses to disavow these actions shows that they know they do not have the support to move forward without lying to voters,” he said in a statement.
“Clearly, they’re having trouble finding people who want to repeal our highly effective cannabis laws and kill our successful cannabis industry.”
Subscribe to the MJBiz Factbook
Exclusive industry data and analysis to help you make informed business decisions and avoid costly missteps. All the facts, none of the hype.
What you will get:
- Monthly and quarterly updates, with new data & insights
- Financial forecasts + capital investment trends
- State-by-state guide to regulations, taxes & market opportunities
- Annual survey of cannabis businesses
- Consumer insights
- And more!
Massachusetts legal marijuana industry rolls on
Meanwhile, Massachusetts cannabis retailers are reporting record success.
Annual cannabis sales are , according to state Cannabis Control Commission data.
Retailers reported $1.41 billion in annual sales through Nov. 9. Monthly sales averaged $137.4 million.
State retailers broke monthly gross sales records several times during the first half of the year, the CCC said.
Medical Disclaimer:
The information provided in these blog posts is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. The use of any information provided in these blog posts is solely at your own risk. The authors and the website do not recommend or endorse any specific products, treatments, or procedures mentioned. Reliance on any information in these blog posts is solely at your own discretion.
