In a new statewide survey of almost 500 registered Massachusetts voters, a majority would support a ballot question to legalize marijuana.

By every metric available, public opinion appears to favor legalization, and by wider margins with each passing year.

By every metric available, public opinion appears to favor legalization, and by wider margins with each passing year.

BOSTON — Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts said they submitted more than enough signatures Tuesday to the secretary of state's office to keep alive their hopes of putting the proposal before voters next year.

BOSTON — Proponents of legalizing recreational marijuana in Massachusetts said they submitted more than enough signatures Tuesday to the secretary of state's office to keep alive their hopes of putting the proposal before voters next year.

Two Boston city councilors are throwing their support behind a November ballot question to legalize recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.

Boston's first medical marijuana shop is open for business. Customers can start filling prescriptions at Patriot Care Wednesday afternoon.

The Citizens' Initiative Review project was launched by a bipartisan group of politicians and academics.

The Citizens' Initiative Review project was launched by a bipartisan group of politicians and academics.

Kay Lazar~ The Boston Globe ~

Facility in Salem reports 1,500 patients in 2 months.

The campaign to legalize marijuana in Massachusetts has already gained more than half of the required signatures to put a question on the November ballot.

Looks like marijuana advocates worried that the new legal pot law wouldn’t start on time can exhale after all.

Looks like marijuana advocates worried that the new legal pot law wouldn’t start on time can exhale after all.

Marijuana sales could surpass $1 billion in the state of Massachusetts by the year 2020 — if the state chooses to legalize weed for recreational purposes in the fall, that is.

Marijuana sales could surpass $1 billion in the state of Massachusetts by the year 2020 — if the state chooses to legalize weed for recreational purposes in the fall, that is.

Massachusetts voters are expected to spark up a new legalized recreational marijuana industry this year, and state lawmakers are preparing for a regulation process that could be anything but mellow.

Massachusetts voters are expected to spark up a new legalized recreational marijuana industry this year, and state lawmakers are preparing for a regulation process that could be anything but mellow.

Voters in Colorado passed a referendum four years ago to make buying and selling marijuana legal, and Massachusetts voters are expected to do the same thing.

Voters in Colorado passed a referendum four years ago to make buying and selling marijuana legal, and Massachusetts voters are expected to do the same thing.

A statewide poll of likely voters shows 50 percent support the November ballot question legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts.

A statewide poll of likely voters shows 50 percent support the November ballot question legalizing marijuana in Massachusetts.

BOSTON – Marijuana is "widely available" in Massachusetts due to decriminalization but there's little regulation of the drug, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday, explaining why she is open to supporting legalization.

BOSTON – Marijuana is "widely available" in Massachusetts due to decriminalization but there's little regulation of the drug, Sen. Elizabeth Warren said Thursday, explaining why she is open to supporting legalization.

The overseas travel luminary will also donate $100,000 in matching funds to the Yes on 4 campaign.

The overseas travel luminary will also donate $100,000 in matching funds to the Yes on 4 campaign.

Massachusetts voters are split on whether their state should follow suit of states like Colorado, Washington, and Alaska — and legalize recreational marijuana.

Support for the measure cuts across all demographic categories, with only voters over 55 years old and self-described conservatives opposing the measure.

Support for the measure cuts across all demographic categories, with only voters over 55 years old and self-described conservatives opposing the measure.

A new WBUR poll finds support for the legalization of marijuana is up among likely Massachusetts voters.

A new WBUR poll finds support for the legalization of marijuana is up among likely Massachusetts voters.

BOSTON (AP) -- Having spent nearly three decades crusading for relaxed marijuana laws in Massachusetts, Bill Downing is greeting the state's new recreational marijuana law with a mix of satisfaction and trepidation.

BOSTON (AP) -- Having spent nearly three decades crusading for relaxed marijuana laws in Massachusetts, Bill Downing is greeting the state's new recreational marijuana law with a mix of satisfaction and trepidation.

Hearings on Massachusetts' recreational marijuana begin in the Statehouse in Boston Monday, where lawmakers will mull potential changes to the voter-approved legislation legalizing marijuana use among adults and paving the way for commercial sale of the drug.

BOSTON (AP) — Travel guru Rick Steves is kicking off a tour of Massachusetts in support of a pro-marijuana ballot question.

BOSTON (AP) — Travel guru Rick Steves is kicking off a tour of Massachusetts in support of a pro-marijuana ballot question.

The lawmakers will take the lessons learned there and issue a report with recommendations to the senate president next month.

The lawmakers will take the lessons learned there and issue a report with recommendations to the senate president next month.

The highest court in Massachusetts is rewriting the wording of a ballot question that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana, announcing the change in a ruling issued Wednesday morning.

The highest court in Massachusetts is rewriting the wording of a ballot question that seeks to legalize recreational marijuana, announcing the change in a ruling issued Wednesday morning.