Massachusetts State Information Page

Current Legality State – Massachusetts

Fully Legal

  • Medical and recreational use is legalized.
  • Decriminalized statewide for adult use
  • Adult residents may possess one ounce of flower and five grams of concentrate
  • Cultivation of up to six plants per person or twelve plants per residence is legal

Current Legality State

Fully Legal

  • Medical and recreational use is legalized.
  • Decriminalized statewide for adult use
  • Adult residents may possess one ounce of flower and five grams of concentrate
  • Cultivation of up to six plants per person or twelve plants per residence is legal

Medical Cannabis Savings

Taxes explained and the benefits of getting your medical card in Arizona

Recreational Marijuana Taxes in

17% (10.75% excise tax + 7.25% sales tax) + municipal taxes up to 3%

Medical Marijuana Taxes in Massachusetts

0%

Savings

Estimated Savings Having a Medical Marijuana Card

Up to 17% depending on municipality

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Massachusetts Qualifying Conditions For Medical Marijuana

Massachusetts allows patients with the following conditions to apply for a medical cannabis card:

  • Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
  • Cancer
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Glaucoma
  • HIV or AIDS
  • Hepatitis C
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Other conditions may be included as determined in writing by a qualifying patient’s physician.

How to get a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts

These are the steps to getting a medical marijuana card with the help of Leafy DOC

  • calendar plus

    Book An Appointment

    • You will schedule an online appointment with a Leafy DOC medical marijuana doctor at a time that is most convenient for you.
    • Provide basic medical history and book your appointment with a licensed medical marijuana doctor.

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    Evaluation

    • Consult with a doctor for 15 minutes to evaluate your ailments, and ask any questions you may have about

  • approved

    Approval

    • Within 24 hours after the evaluation, the doctor will send your certificate via email for your recommendation for medical marijuana.
    • After receiving that recommendation, you can then apply with the state of Maryland to complete the registration process.

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Book your appointment

medical doctor

Match with a Doctor

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Get your Medical Card

Cannabis Policy Reform Timeline

2008: Massachusetts voters approved a ballot initiative decriminalizing possession of small amounts of cannabis for personal use.

2012: Voters approved a ballot question in support of medical marijuana legalization for patients with qualifying medical conditions including cannabis use for chronic pain relief.

2016: Voters passed a ballot initiative legalizing adult-use marijuana and establishing regulations for sales of marijuana products by medical marijuana businesses.

2017: The legislature voted to delay implementation by six months, and Governor Baker signed the Marijuana Compromise Bill, a law pushing the ability to distribute marijuana and legal retail sales forward to the near future, from January 2018 to July 2018.

2018: Governor Charlie Baker allowed the first adult-use retail stores to open for business with recreational cannabis, and cannabis product sales began in November for adults who consume marijuana. Massachusetts is now one of the most marijuana-friendly states in New England.

Massachusetts Equity Program

The MA Cannabis Control Commission is committed to encouraging participation in the marijuana industry by residents from communities that have previously been disproportionately harmed by recreational marijuana prohibition and enforcement. They are committed to positively impacting those communities directly.

These efforts by the Cannabis Control Commission include the development of policies and procedures in addition to the Social Equity Program, Certified Economic Empowerment Priority Applicant status, and a drug awareness program that highlights tobacco smoking as well.

Some of the Current Cannabis Bills in Massachusetts

Learn more about Cannabis legalization in Massachusetts:

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many Massachusetts voters supported legalization?

    Sixty percent of Massachusetts voters approved recreational legalization for adults.

  • How old do you have to be to purchase cannabis under Massachusetts law?

    Medical marijuana patients can apply for a medical card beginning at the age of eighteen. Recreational use of cannabis and retail sales for any adult who is 21 and over is legal according to the new possession law.

  • Is home cultivation legal in Massachusetts?

    Yes. Adults are allowed home cultivation of marijuana and can grow up to six plants per person or twelve plants total in their residence.

    Of your own harvest, an adult can have up to ten ounces for smoking marijuana at one time on their private property.

  • Can I have recreational marijuana delivered in Massachusetts?

    Yes, you can purchase cannabis directly to your residence via delivery, and some marijuana establishments have even introduced curbside pickup options for adults 21 and older. Edible marijuana products are included.

  • Can I get a medical marijuana card in Massachusetts?

    Yes. Massachusetts marijuana law requires all qualifying patients to be registered with the state before medical marijuana use:

    Requirements are as follows:

    Be 18 years of age or older
    You must be able to provide proof that you are a Massachusetts resident
    You must have a diagnosis that qualifies in Massachusetts
    You must submit a signed Physician Certification with your MMP application
    If you qualify, you will receive a PIN from the health care provider.
    Use the PIN to register online at the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Program website.
    You must also include a current government-issued ID and current, accepted photograph in the application. It’s free to enroll in this program.

  • How many recreational dispensaries are in Massachusetts?

    As of 2022, there are approximately 165 cannabis dispensaries statewide.