Thousands gathered at the 37th annual Freedom Rally on Carty Parade Field at Boston Common, where supporters of marijuana legalization urged voters to reject an upcoming ballot initiative that would repeal Massachusetts’ cannabis laws. The event, hosted by the Massachusetts Cannabis Reform Coalition (MassCann), took place amid heightened attention on Question 8, a measure scheduled for the November 3 ballot that seeks to overturn the state’s legalization, regulation, and taxation of recreational marijuana.
The Freedom Rally, which began in North Adams in 1989 and has been held at Boston Common since 1995, has traditionally promoted cannabis reform. This year’s gathering marked the first time the event took on an explicitly political tone following the state’s legalization of recreational marijuana in 2016. Attendees wore signs, buttons, and T-shirts emblazoned with slogans urging a “no” vote on Question 8, expressing concerns over the potential rollback of over a decade of policy changes.
Jimbo Williamson, a South Shore resident and long-time attendee, emphasized the importance of public education in combating the repeal effort. “I think there’s a lot of folks that don’t realize just how important it is,” he said, highlighting the event’s focus on informing the public about the stakes involved.
The repeal campaign is led by the Coalition for a Healthy Massachusetts, based in Beverly and headed by Kevin Sabet, a former drug policy adviser to multiple presidential administrations. Repeal advocates have cited concerns about increased potency of cannabis products, rising youth usage, and marijuana-related traffic incidents as reasons to reverse the state’s recreational marijuana laws.
Cannabis supporters dispute these claims, arguing that a regulated market has provided benefits for consumers and public health. Dr. Keith Saunders, former president of MassCann, expressed confidence that voters will reject the repeal. Noting Massachusetts’ history of approving marijuana reforms—including decriminalization in 2008, medical marijuana legalization in 2012, and recreational legalization in 2016—Saunders said, “Any attempt to roll back [those victories], people will be very much against it. It’s a matter of driving out the vote.”
The rally featured hundreds of small vendors and live musical performances, with many attendees openly consuming cannabis despite public consumption remaining illegal in Boston. Jolene Gamboa of New Bedford praised the event’s educational programming, recalling a doctor’s presentation debunking myths about marijuana’s health effects and emphasizing the safety of regulated products. “Hearing that from a doctor… was comforting,” she said, noting marijuana’s benefits for medical conditions such as anxiety.
As the November vote approaches, the event underscored the ongoing debate over cannabis policy in Massachusetts, with advocates mobilizing efforts to preserve legalized marijuana amid growing opposition.