MEASURING THE IMPACT
OF LEGALIZATION
DUIs RISING
Law enforcement and public safety officials agree: We need to focus on making our roads safer – not more dangerous.
42%
of drivers in fatal crashes tested positive for marijuana.
65%
increase in the number of driver’s license revocations for drugged driving in Massachusetts.
85%
of cannabis users drive after consumption, and 53% drive within an hour or less.
WHERE IS THE OVERSIGHT?
The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) has been a disaster. The state-run organization has faced significant problems for years, including widespread mismanagement, a toxic internal culture, financial oversight, and regulatory noncompliance.
A recent state audit found regulatory noncompliance created public safety issues such as the sale of contaminated products to persist and put consumers at risk. There were products that had previously passed testing but were later found to contain unacceptable levels of contaminants that can cause severe health issues, including serious lung infection.
Stopping recreational sales would protect consumer health and safety by eliminating the ongoing risks from untested and mislabeled products in the recreational for-profit market.
WHO BEARS THE COST?
Proponents claim we have gained much-needed tax revenue from recreational marijuana stores. Our experience with alcohol and tobacco shows tax revenue does not even come close to covering the associated costs. Federal alcohol tax revenue is a fraction of the massive economic toll from excessive drinking, with many studies showing taxes cover less than 25% of related costs, leaving billions in societal expenses from healthcare, lost productivity, and crime unfunded by these taxes.
In 2023, federal tax collections was $11.1 billion but costs from excessive consumption reach hundreds of billions annually. Federal tobacco tax revenue is even lower. In 2024 $9 billion was collected which is not even close to the massive societal costs. Hundreds of billions annually are spent - over $240 billion in healthcare alone, with taxpayers covering over 60%. Recreational marijuana has proven to be no different which has, just like alcohol and tobacco, lead to increased costs on healthcare, lost productivity, and crime (such as DUI’s) at the cost of taxpayers and businesses.
WHO IS MOST AT RISK?
CHILDREN
Recreational marijuana stores sell sweet edibles that appeal to children like cookies and candy. Multiple studies show massive increases in unintentional pediatric ingestions of cannabis edibles after legalizing commercial sales. Poison centers have seen a drastic spike in calls and in visits to pediatric emergency care centers with children under 5 being the largest affected group.
TEENS
A 2025 study found that after legalizing commercial sales in Massachusetts, rates of cannabis use and cannabis-related disorders disproportionately increased among teenagers, particularly those with psychiatric conditions. There was an almost fourfold increase in cannabis use for adolescents aged 12 to 17 years. The conclusion of the study was “commercialization of recreational cannabis sales…disproportionately affect adolescents with psychiatric illnesses or vulnerabilities, resulting in an increased need for psychiatric emergency care.”
PETS
Among pets, dogs and cats are at the highest risk and require expensive vet care to be treated. Sadly, drug intoxications of pets have been on the rise nationwide. Increased access through legalization and overall use of drugs are the main causes of this growing problem.
Legalizing cannabis and allowing for at-home growth has put beloved pets at risk.
VOTE YES
Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts is the official ballot committee organized to urge voters to vote YES on the Sensible Cannabis Act.
Our group is a diverse statewide coalition of Massachusetts individuals, medical professionals, mental health professionals, law enforcement, veterans, elected officials, recovery groups, business owners, and community groups that support this act.
Join our coalition and stay up to date with the latest news and opportunities to get involved: