Massachusetts voters will head to the polls this November with a genuinely unusual question in front of them: do you want to un-legalize recreational marijuana? The state Supreme Judicial Court ruled Friday that a ballot measure to repeal the 2016 pot legalization law was properly certified by Attorney General Andrea Campbell, clearing the last major legal hurdle to get the question onto the fall ballot. Barring something unexpected, organizers just need to collect a final round of signatures — a formality at this point — and it's locked in.

This is a big deal. Massachusetts has built a multibillion-dollar cannabis industry over the past several years, with thousands of jobs, hundreds of licensed businesses, and significant tax revenue attached to it. The repeal campaign, backed heavily by Virginia-based anti-marijuana group Smart Approaches to Marijuana, argues that legalization has caused real harm to communities. Opponents of the repeal call it an existential threat to the industry and note that the campaign collected some of its signatures under misleading pretenses — a challenge that was already dismissed by the State Ballot Law Commission.

What happens next: expect an expensive, bruising campaign on both sides. The cannabis industry has pledged to fight back hard. Advocates for repeal will lean on public safety concerns, particularly around youth use. And Massachusetts voters, who approved legalization by a comfortable margin a decade ago, will ultimately decide whether they've changed their minds.

A 14-year-old was arrested Friday and charged with armed robbery after allegedly pulling a gun on two neighborhood kids — David Byrne, 12, and Juliette Byrne, 11 — who were selling lemonade on their street corner Wednesday afternoon. The community responded by setting up a solidarity lemonade stand, and word of the arrest arrived in the middle of the street party. A second suspect, believed to be even younger, is still being sought.

The Massachusetts House passed legislation Wednesday that would set statewide standards for how books can be removed from public and school libraries — joining about a dozen other states with similar "Freedom to Read" laws. A companion bill already cleared the Senate, so the measure is now on its way to Governor Maura Healey, who is widely expected to sign it. Library advocates say the bill is a necessary response to a record wave of book-removal efforts that has accelerated since 2021.

State health regulators approved the partnership between Mass General Brigham and CVS MinuteClinic that would convert 37 MinuteClinic locations into primary care clinics — but they're not exactly enthusiastic about it. The Health Policy Commission says it "remains uncertain" whether the model will actually deliver comprehensive primary care, noting limitations like no oral health screenings, no controlled substance prescriptions, and no telehealth at launch. The deal is also expected to raise commercial healthcare spending by roughly $40 million. Worth watching closely.

Plans to swap out diesel trains on the Fairmount Line for cleaner, quieter battery-powered cars have been pushed back from 2028 to at least 2030. The T says the delay is to ensure the new vehicles are more accessible for riders with mobility issues, which sounds reasonable — though it's cold comfort for Dorchester, Hyde Park, and Mattapan residents who've been waiting years for a meaningful service upgrade on one of the system's most underserved lines.

The Brockton public school district has retained an independent investigator to look into a student's complaint against Mayor Moises M. Rodrigues, following a dramatic graduation ceremony confrontation last weekend where a mother charged the field mid-speech, publicly accusing him of inappropriate behavior toward her daughter. State Police are also investigating. Rodrigues has acknowledged an interaction at a May parade made a student uncomfortable but has not elaborated further.

Governor Healey signed a supplemental budget Friday directing surplus Fair Share revenue — that's the millionaires' tax money — toward MBTA improvements, Regional Transit Authorities, early literacy programs, high-dosage tutoring, and child care affordability. The bill also helps cities and towns cover extraordinary snow removal costs from this past winter and creates a new tax credit for farms that donate surplus food to food banks. Real dollars going to real priorities.

World Cup Fan Fest capacity warning: If you're planning to catch a game at the FIFA Fan Festival on City Hall Plaza this weekend, know that registrations for Friday and Saturday are already full — and Mayor Wu has clarified that even having a registration doesn't guarantee you'll get in. Plan accordingly, or find one of the 100+ free watch parties around Greater Boston. Boston.com →

Marijuana repeal signature deadline looming: Organizers backing the recreational marijuana repeal ballot question need to clear a final signature threshold this month to lock in their November ballot spot — a formality by most accounts, but the clock is ticking. CommonWealth Beacon →

Salem moves toward ranked-choice voting: The Salem City Council voted 10-0 Thursday to advance a home rule petition that would bring ranked-choice voting to the city's municipal elections. The petition now heads to the Legislature for approval. State House News Service →

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Yesterday's Biggest Contributions

Data from the MA Office of Campaign & Political Finance

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Recent filings with the Massachusetts Office of Campaign and Political Finance:

Candidates

• Donnell Wright (Democratic) — House, 11th Hampden — Filed: 6/9/2026
• Gary Gagnon — Sheriff, Franklin County — Filed: 6/9/2026

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