We use cookies for certain features and to improve your experience. See our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy to learn more

Leafly

Shop legal, local weed.

Open
advertise on Leafly
ShopDeliveryDispensariesDealsStrainsBrandsProductsCBDDoctorsCannabis 101Social impact
  • Sign in
  • Create account
  • Strains
  • Shop
  • Shop
  • Delivery
  • Deals
  • Dispensaries
  • CBD Stores
  • Brands
  • Products
  • Learn
  • Cannabis 101
  • News
  • Leafly Learn
  • Science of cannabis
  • Doctors
  • Social impact
  • Lab partners
  • Download the Leafly App
  • Advertise on Leafly
    • Leafly.comUSA flag
    • Leafly.caCanadian flag
    • Leafly.deGerman flag
  • Help
  • News
  • Lifestyle
  • Strains & products
  • Industry
  • Growing
  • Health
  • Science & tech
  • Leafly USA
  • Podcasts
  • Learn
Politics

Massachusetts Senate President: I’m Voting for Cannabis Question

The Associated PressPublished on October 20, 2016 · Last updated July 28, 2020
Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg speaks during a bill signing ceremony at the Statehouse, Monday, Aug. 1, 2016, in Boston. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

BOSTON (AP) — Massachusetts Senate President Stan Rosenberg said he’s backing a ballot question that would legalize the recreational use of marijuana in the state.

Rosenberg said he hopes he and fellow lawmakers can make improvements to the question if voters approve it, but he didn’t offer specific changes. He made the comments Thursday during an interview on WGBH-FM.

Rosenberg also said residents who want to cultivate their own cannabis should “be able to have a few plants growing on your property.”

The November ballot question would let those 21 years old or older possess up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use and allow the home cultivation of up to 12 cannabis plants.

Rosenberg’s endorsement came as opponents of the ballot question reported a $1 million donation by Las Vegas Sands Corporation CEO Sheldon Adelson, bringing their fundraising total to $1.7 million.

Supporters have raised nearly $3.7 million.

Rosenberg’s views put him at odds with many other top officials on Beacon Hill, including Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, Democratic Attorney General Maura Healey, Democratic House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Democratic Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, all of whom oppose Question 4.

They say legalizing cannabis could lead people to harder drugs, including opioids, which are blamed for a surge in overdose deaths in the state in recent years.

Baker, appearing on the same radio station just moments after Rosenberg, repeated his concerns about the ballot question.

Baker noted that Massachusetts voters already have approved the medicinal use of marijuana and have decriminalized the possession of small amounts of the drug. He said Question 4 goes beyond just the legalization of marijuana because it is being pushed by those hoping to open cannabis shops across the state.

“This question is designed to create a billion-dollar industry in the commonwealth of Massachusetts that will have very few limitations on where its dispensaries go,” Baker said. “I think the voters, when they walk into the ballot box on this one, are going to decide that this is not the right question or the right time.”

Backers of the question welcomed Rosenberg’s support.

“President Rosenberg deserves enormous credit for taking a courageous stand on replacing the failed system we have today with a regulated structure that will actually control marijuana in Massachusetts,” Jim Borghesani from Yes on 4 said in a statement.

Recent polls indicate growing support among voters for legalization.

A poll released Wednesday by WBUR-FM found 55 percent of voters back the ballot question, while 40 percent oppose it. The poll of 502 likely Massachusetts voters was conducted Oct. 13-16 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.

A handful of other elected officials say they favor the recreational use of cannabis, including Democratic Congressman Seth Moulton, who said last month, “we do need to make sure it’s done right.”

The ballot question would impose a 3.75 percent excise tax on cannabis sales — on top of the state’s regular 6.25 percent sales tax. Cities and town would be able to tack on an additional 2 percent municipal tax.

The proposal would let employers bar the use of marijuana by employees in the workplace. Officials could continue to restrict marijuana use in public buildings and near schools.

If approved, the law would take effect Dec. 15.

Shop highly rated dispensaries near you

Showing you dispensaries near
See all dispensaries
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
    Loading...Loading...
  • See all dispensaries
See all dispensaries
adult-use cannabisElection 2016legalizationmassachusettspolitics
The Associated Press
The Associated Press
The AP is one of the world's largest and most trusted sources of independent newsgathering.
View The Associated Press's articles

The latest in Politics

  • How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products image
    How US import tariffs are impacting cannabis prices and products
    Leafly Staff
  • Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers image
    Ohioans must activate to defend cannabis freedoms from lawmakers
    David Downs
  • Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025 image
    Montanans must activate to protect legalization in 2025
    David Downs
  • Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0 image
    Analysis: Don’t hold your breath for legalization under Trump 2.0
    David Downs
Get good reads, local deals, and strain spotlights delivered right to your inbox.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.



Stay In Touch

Receive updates on new products, special offers, and industry news.

Something went wrong, please try again.

By providing us with your email address, you agree to Leafly’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Leafly mobile app
Get high for less.
Download the Leafly app.
Download Leafly: Marijuana Reviews on the App StoreDownload Leafly Marijuana Reviews on Google Play

Business Solutions
  • List your store
  • List your CBD store
  • List your brand
  • List your practice
  • Business log in

About Leafly
  • About us
  • Careers
  • Newsroom
  • Investor relations
  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Accessibility

Dispensaries in
  • Los Angeles
  • Seattle
  • Portland
  • San Francisco
  • Toronto
  • Detroit

Privacy & Terms
  • Terms of use
  • Commercial terms of use
  • Privacy policy
  • Do not sell my personal information

* Statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Information provided by this website or this company is not a substitute for individual medical advice.


© 2025 Leafly, LLC
Leafly and the Leafly logo are registered trademarks of Leafly, LLC. All Rights Reserved.