Cannabis law in Massachusetts (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Adults aged 21 or over may carry up to 2 ounces of marijuana, keep up to 10 ounces at home and grow up to 6 plants. Sale is through licensed retailers, and use in public places is prohibited.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Possession for personal usePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Quantity limitsPersonal use by an adult | Up to 2 ounces may be carried in public; up to 10 ounces may be possessed at home. [1] |
| Growing at homePersonal use by an adult | Permitted within limits [1] |
| Sale to consumersPersonal use by an adult | Licensed retail stores for adults [1] |
| Use or carrying in public placesPersonal use by an adult | Prohibited [1] |
| Medical cannabisPersonal use by an adult | Legal for medical use [1] |
| VisitorsPersonal use by an adult | Foreigners expressly covered [1] |
| Minimum agePersonal use by an adult | 21 years [1] |
| Driving after cannabis usePersonal use by an adult | It is illegal to drive while under the influence of cannabis. [1] |
| Purchase limit in licensed shopsPersonal use by an adult | A retailer may not sell an individual more than 2 ounces of marijuana, or the equivalent in concentrate (5 g THC per ounce) or edibles (500 mg THC per ounce), per transaction or per day. Topicals are not limited. [2] |
Notes
- The 2-ounce public limit follows the Commission's page read on 9 October 2026; the page also lists An Act Modernizing the Commonwealth's Cannabis Laws (2026), and older state pages gave 1 ounce. Amounts above 2 ounces kept at home must be locked away.
- The page states the limit for adult-use growing as six plants in the home. For medical patients it states up to twelve flowering and twelve vegetative plants.
- Only registered qualifying patients who are Massachusetts residents, or their caregivers, may buy medical marijuana; out-of-state residents cannot.
- Visitors must consume their purchase in Massachusetts. Out-of-state residents cannot buy medical marijuana.
Sources
- Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission: Know the Laws - Cannabis Control Commission Massachusetts (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- Cannabis Control Commission: 935 CMR 500.000 Adult Use of Marijuana (effective 11 September 2026) (consulted 10 October 2026) · all sources
National rules that also apply
These rules are set at national level in the United States and apply here too, alongside the rules above. All national rules for the United States
| Possession for personal use | Criminal offence (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
|---|---|
| Growing at home | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
| Sale to consumers | Prohibited (source: U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo)) |
Massachusetts and neighbouring states
| State | Possession for personal use | Growing at home | Sale to consumers | Use or carrying in public places | Medical cannabis | Visitors |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | Legal for adults 21+, within limits | Yes: up to 6 plants | Licensed retailers | Banned in public places | Medical programme (certified patients) | Out-of-state adults 21+ may buy |
| Connecticut | Legal, 21+, within limits | 3 mature + 3 immature, max 12/household | Licensed retailers | Tobacco rules; towns may restrict | Yes, registered patients | Any person 21+, no residency test |
| New Hampshire | Violation: $100 fine up to 3/4 oz | ⚠ Not yet verified | No (sales are an offence) | — | Therapeutic cannabis programme (RSA 126-X) | — |
| New York | Legal for adults 21+, within limits | ⚠ Not yet verified | Licensed retail dispensaries | Banned where smoking is banned | Medical cannabis programme | Source silent on visitors |
| Rhode Island | Legal for adults 21+ within limits | Up to 3 mature + 3 immature plants | Licensed retail stores, 21+ | No smoking where tobacco smoking is banned | Registered patients, compassion centres | Out-of-state medical patients may buy |
| Vermont | Legal for adults 21+ | Up to 2 mature, 4 immature plants | Licensed retail stores, 21+ | No consumption in public (civil penalty) | Registered patients, dispensaries | Medical programme: residents only |
More rules in Massachusetts
- Car speed limitsBuilt-up areas: 30 mph (prima facie) · Outside built-up areas (single carriageway): 40 mph (prima facie)
- Minimum age for a car driving licenceMinimum age for a car licence: 16½ (junior operator licence) · Earliest age to drive a car supervised: 16 (learner's permit)
- E-bikes and speed pedelecsLegal class: Class 1 and 2 (bicycle)
- FireworksConsumers may buy and use category F2 fireworks: No (sparklers included)
- Knives and pepper sprayFolding pocket knives: Not named unless locking or spring-release · Locking or one-handed knives: Locking-draw devices banned; switchblade ban void
- Statutory minimum wageNational statutory minimum wage: Yes · Current adult minimum wage (gross): $15.00 per hour
- Using a mobile phone while drivingHolding a phone while driving banned: Banned · Hands-free use: Hands-free allowed
- Seat belts and child seatsSeat belt compulsory in front seats: Yes · Seat belt compulsory in rear seats: Yes
- Tobacco and nicotine age limitsMinimum age to buy tobacco: 21 · Minimum age to buy e-cigarettes: 21
- Drinking age and alcohol salesMinimum age to buy beer and wine: 21 (sales to under 21 banned) · Minimum age to buy spirits: 21 (sales to under 21 banned)
- Drink-driving limitsBlood alcohol limit for ordinary drivers: 0.08% · Lower limit for novice or young drivers: 0.02% = licence suspension (under 21)
Related pages
General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.