Cunningham Pushes to Ban Recreational Cannabis in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has been a leader in cannabis reform since voters approved adult-use legalization through Question 4 in 2016. Since the first dispensaries opened in 2018, the state has seen explosive growth in the industry. According to the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission, recreational sales have surpassed $7 billion as of mid-2024, making the state one of the most successful cannabis markets on the East Coast.
Despite this success, State Representative James Cunningham is now pushing to ban recreational cannabis. He argues that legalization has contributed to public safety concerns and impaired driving, while also claiming the market has strayed too far from its original intent. Cunningham’s proposal would effectively dismantle the recreational program and limit cannabis access to medical patients only.
If such a ban were implemented, the impact would be devastating. Massachusetts currently brings in over $250 million annually in cannabis tax revenue, which funds public health, education, and infrastructure projects across the state. More than 20,000 jobs are supported by the cannabis industry, ranging from cultivation and retail to logistics and distribution. Eliminating recreational sales would not only cost these jobs but also drive consumers back into the unregulated market, undoing years of progress toward safer access.
Opponents of Cunningham’s push argue that banning cannabis does not solve the problems he highlights. Instead, industry leaders and advocacy groups are calling for improvements in regulation, better education around responsible use, and expanded equity programs to ensure communities most harmed by prohibition benefit from legalization. Groups like the Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) have spoken out, warning that a rollback would harm small businesses and disproportionately affect workers and entrepreneurs.
At Green Eden Distro, we believe that cannabis legalization represents forward progress. Banning recreational cannabis would be a step backward for Massachusetts—one that ignores the will of voters, stifles economic growth, and undermines public health. The focus should be on refining regulations and supporting small businesses, not dismantling a thriving legal market.
Massachusetts has come too far to turn back now. The conversation should be about how to strengthen the cannabis industry, not how to erase it.
