Massachusetts Keeps Cannabis Law, Tightens Gun Rules

Voters rejected a repeal of recreational marijuana sales while approving a measure expanding firearm restrictions in the midterm election.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections

Bold flat-color editorial illustration in navy and cream showing a plain ballot box in front of a simplified domed state capitol silhouette. — Massachusetts voters rejected a repeal of recreational marijuana sales on Tuesday while approving tighter firearm restrictions, including expanded extreme risk protection orders and penalties for ghost guns. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should Massachusetts keep recreational cannabis legal and tighten gun laws?

Massachusetts voters rejected Question 8, which would have repealed the state's laws legalizing and taxing retail adult recreational marijuana, with about 76 percent opposed as of Wednesday morning with more than 85 percent of ballots counted. Voters also approved Question 9 tightening firearm laws, with 67 percent voting yes as of 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Why it matters

The results keep the state's recreational cannabis market intact while expanding the groups who can seek Extreme Risk Protection Orders and penalizing untraceable ghost guns. Together, the outcomes show where Massachusetts voters drew lines on drug policy and firearm regulation in the midterm.

Question 8 would have repealed the laws legalizing, regulating, and taxing retail adult recreational marijuana, and about 76 percent of voters opposed it with more than 85 percent of ballots counted. Question 9 passed with 67 percent support as of 10 a.m. Wednesday, while final certified totals were not yet reported.

The players

Maura Healey

Maura Healey is the Democratic governor of Massachusetts who won reelection with more than 62 percent of the vote.

Michael Minogue

Michael Minogue is the Republican candidate who lost the Massachusetts governor's race to Maura Healey.

The details

Question 8 was proposed by an initiative petition and would have overturned the state's legal retail marijuana framework. Question 9 adds school administrators and licensed healthcare providers as parties permitted to request Extreme Risk Protection Orders and imposes penalties for possessing, creating, and transferring untraceable ghost gun firearms. In the governor's race, Maura Healey took more than 62 percent of the vote over Republican Michael Minogue.

Tuesday, November 3, 2026: Massachusetts voters cast ballots in the midterm election.
Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026: Over 85 percent of ballots were counted, showing 76 percent opposition to Question 8.

Political Context

Voters rejected Question 8, an initiative petition that would have repealed the retail adult-use marijuana framework Massachusetts adopted under the 2016 legalization ballot measure. The outcome leaves that framework in place and shows the 2016 policy still commands majority support at the polls.

Massachusetts recreational marijuana sales continue under existing law after Question 8 failed. Residents may see Extreme Risk Protection Orders sought by school administrators and licensed healthcare providers under Question 9's new framework.

The takeaway

Voters in Massachusetts backed stricter firearm rules while keeping legal cannabis sales, a combination worth watching as final certified results are released.