2016 Massachusetts Question 4

The Massachusetts Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Initiative also known as Question 4, was an indirect initiated state statute question to legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana that appeared on the November 8, 2016 Massachusetts general election ballot.^[1]

• A "yes" vote supports this proposal to legalize marijuana, but regulate it similar to alcoholic beverages.^[2]
• A "no" vote opposes this proposal to legalize recreational marijuana, keeping only medical marijuana legal.^[2]

Question 4

Massachusetts Legalization, Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Initiative
Results
Choice Votes % Yes 1,769,328 53.66% No 1,528,219 46.34% Valid votes 3,297,547 100.00% Invalid or blank votes 0 0.00% Total votes 3,297,547 100.00%
County results Municipality results Precinct results Yes   90–100%   80–90%   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% No   70–80%   60–70%   50–60% Other   Tie

The proposal was approved with 53.59% of the vote.^[3]

Delays in implementation

In December 2016, the state legislature voted to delay the opening date for recreational marijuana stores in Massachusetts by six months. The opening was delayed from January 2017 to summer and eventually to November 20, 2018, the first day of state-licensed cannabis sales in Massachusetts.^[4]

See also

• List of 2016 United States cannabis reform proposals