The owners of the 19 recreational cannabis dispensaries in Cambridge and Somerville are trying to keep from greening out ahead of a November ballot measure that, if passed, would kill their industry a mere eight years after the people of Massachusetts voted it into existence.
“I don’t have a crystal ball,” said Michael MacNeil, CEO of The Boston Garden, which operates recreational dispensaries in Cambridge, Somerville and Athol that employ roughly 45 people altogether. “But [Question 8]’s a major concern. It’s hard enough today for cannabis retail businesses to stay profitable and repay their investors.”
Richard Harding, owner of GreenSoul Dispensary in Central Square, said seeing Question 8 make the ballot was “a gut punch, another blow to folks like me.” The question, formally “An Act to Restore Sensible Marijuana Policy,” would prohibit recreational marijuana sales statewide beginning in 2028. It would allow limited possession to remain legal and leave the state’s medical marijuana program intact. Question 8 is backed by The Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, which argues legal recreational sales have made marijuana more accessible to minors, led to more people driving while high and negatively affected public health overall. The coalition did not respond to a request for comment.
The economics of repeal
MacNeill said the industry unambiguously does more good than harm…