US State

Cannabis and hemp laws

Massachusetts

Recreational and medical marijuana legal; THCA, delta-8, hemp delta-9, delta-10 and HHC illegal

Adult use

Legal

Medical

Legal

Last reviewed

May 27, 2026

Massachusetts

Cannabinoid status board

All states and compounds

Delta-10 THC

Illegal

Limits

Delta-10 THC is treated as a synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinol outside the federal hemp exemption and outside the Massachusetts hemp program.

Key law

MGL Ch. 128 §§116-123 (hemp, MDAR); MGL Ch. 94G and 935 CMR 500.00 (adult-use marijuana, CCC); MDAR Policy Statement on Sale of Hemp-Derived Products (Dec. 12, 2022)

Effective

December 12, 2022

Full rules

Delta-8 THC

Illegal

Limits

MDAR has prohibited the manufacture and sale of hemp-derived delta-8 THC since the December 12, 2022 Policy Statement. Delta-8 is treated as a synthetically derived controlled substance outside the federal hemp exemption.

Key law

MGL Ch. 128 §§116-123 (hemp, MDAR jurisdiction); MGL Ch. 94G and 935 CMR 500.00 (adult-use marijuana, CCC); MDAR Policy Statement on Sale of Hemp-Derived Products (Dec. 12, 2022)

Effective

December 12, 2022

Full rules

Delta-9 THC

Illegal

Limits

Hemp-derived intoxicating delta-9 products are treated as marijuana under MGL Ch. 94G and may only be sold by Cannabis Control Commission-licensed retailers under 935 CMR 500.00.

Key law

MGL Ch. 128 §§116-123 (hemp, MDAR); MGL Ch. 94G and 935 CMR 500.00 (adult-use marijuana, CCC); MDAR Policy Statement on Sale of Hemp-Derived Products (Dec. 12, 2022)

Effective

December 12, 2022

Full rules

HHC

Illegal

Limits

HHC is treated as a synthetically derived tetrahydrocannabinol outside the federal hemp exemption and outside the Massachusetts hemp program.

Key law

MGL Ch. 128 §§116-123 (hemp, MDAR); MGL Ch. 94G and 935 CMR 500.00 (adult-use marijuana, CCC); MDAR Policy Statement on Sale of Hemp-Derived Products (Dec. 12, 2022)

Effective

December 12, 2022

Full rules

THCA

Illegal

Limits

MA hemp definition uses combined delta-9 + THCA total-THC formula at 0.3 percent. THCA flower fails the state hemp definition and is treated as marijuana subject to CCC jurisdiction.

Key law

MGL Ch. 128 §§116-123 (hemp); MGL Ch. 94G and 935 CMR 500.00 (adult-use cannabis); MDAR Policy Statement on Sale of Hemp-Derived Products (Dec. 12, 2022)

Effective

December 12, 2022

Full rules

No items found.

Massachusetts

Latest news and analysis

All news

September 3, 2026

Rhode Island Cannabis License Application 2026: 24 Retail Licenses, and the Equity Deadline Lands September 11

Up to 24 licenses across six zones, applications open until November 23 — but the social-equity certification window closes on September 11, and the form that opens it closes September 4.

Massachusetts 2025: Social Consumption Regulations Near the Finish Line—Implications for On‑Premise THC and Hemp Drinks

Massachusetts CCC social consumption regulations took effect in early 2026, setting dual-track planning for on-premise adult-use service and hemp THC drinks.

Massachusetts 2025 Social Consumption Draft Rules: Implications for THC Beverages and Events

Massachusetts CCC approved final social consumption rules December 11, 2025 and the Secretary promulgated them January 2, 2026, shaping THC beverage events.

Massachusetts’ Proposed $4.05/Gallon Hemp Beverage Tax: Price Modeling and Retail Pass‑Through Scenarios for 2026

Massachusetts is weighing a $4.05 per gallon excise on hemp beverages and CCC oversight; this models price impact and retailer pass-through scenarios.

Massachusetts 2025 Social Consumption Rules: Lounges, BYO, and THC Beverages Under CCC Draft Regs

Massachusetts CCC final social consumption rules took effect January 2, 2026, opening lounge, host, and event pathways with strict age and venting gates.

Massachusetts 2025: Will CCC Bring Hemp Beverages Under Cannabis Rules?

A Massachusetts House bill advanced in June 2025 would place intoxicating hemp beverages under the Cannabis Control Commission with new age and potency limits.