| Massachusetts opened their adult-use market in 2018 and generated $420 million in sales in 2019. As of 2021, the industry employs over 18,000 workers and has generated $2.2B in revenue. | |
|---|---|
| Legalization Dates: | Medical: In November 2012, 63% of state voters approved Question 3 to legalize Medical Marijuana. The law took effect on Jan 1, 2013 but approval of licensed businesses took longer. Adult-Use: Voters approved legalization in the Nov 8, 2016 election and the first stores opened in November 2018. |
| Relevant Legislation: | Summary of Massachusetts Marijuana Laws (COVA) |
| Regulatory Bodies: | Cannabis Control Commission |
| Licensing Model: | Massachusetts operates in a limited license model with a cap on the number of available licenses. The original regulations allowed for 35 medical dispensary licenses. In addition, over 200 municipalities and townships have prohibited marijuana businesses. As of Fall 2020, the state is working on a framework for cannabis delivery regulations. |
| Example Firms: | New England Treatment Access, INSA, Revolutionary Clinics, SIRA Naturals (Source: Oct 2010 Boston Journal List), Revolutionary Clinics (Massachusetts) |
| Industry Associations: | Massachusetts Cannabis Business Association (MCBA) Commonwealth Dispensary Association (CDAMA) Massachusetts Growers Advocacy Council (MGAC) |
| Market Size: | Between November 20, 2018 and January 20, 2019, consumers purchased nearly $24 million on recreational marijuana products and the state has received about $4 million in tax revenue. In January 2019, the state only had nine stores licensed to sell recreational marijuana but by the end of the year the number had increased to 33, with more intending to open in 2020. Sales have grown significantly from $445M in 2019, $697M in 2020 and over $1B in 2021. |
| Articles | Opinion: Assessing the business climate of the Massachusetts marijuana industry (MJBizDaily, January, 2022) Massachusetts is Failing to Grow Its Marijuana Industry Equitably (Boston Globe, Nov 15, 2021) Five years later, legal marijuana remains unfinished business in Massachusetts (Boston Globe, Nov 7, 2021) |
| As of June 21, 2022 |
An academic perspective on the emerging legal industry in the U.S., Canada and beyond by Prof. Paul Seaborn, McIntire School of Commerce, University of Virginia.
Business of Marijuana 