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.

Kay Lazar~ The Boston Globe ~

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

BOSTON - A measure on track for the November statewide ballot would open the doors of the Massachusetts marketplace to legal use of recreational marijuana. But a small section in the proposed ballot measure promoted by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would also regulate the cultivation, process, distribution and sale of hemp.

BOSTON - A measure on track for the November statewide ballot would open the doors of the Massachusetts marketplace to legal use of recreational marijuana. But a small section in the proposed ballot measure promoted by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol would also regulate the cultivation, process, distribution and sale of hemp.

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.

The lifting of the prohibition on pot will have some very immediate effects.

The lifting of the prohibition on pot will have some very immediate effects.

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.

New Hampshire remains the only New England state that hasn't decriminalized the drug.

New Hampshire remains the only New England state that hasn't decriminalized the drug.

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.

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. -- State Police have not added more resources or stepped up patrols on the border it shares with a state that legalized marijuana less than a week ago.

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. -- State Police have not added more resources or stepped up patrols on the border it shares with a state that legalized marijuana less than a week ago.

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.

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.

It was his experience with medical cannabis that got Stephen Mandile up in arms about providing better for Massachusetts veterans.

Months after Massachusetts voters voted to broadly legalize marijuana for recreational use for adults over the age of 21, the New England Cannabis Convention is returning to Boston.

Months after Massachusetts voters voted to broadly legalize marijuana for recreational use for adults over the age of 21, the New England Cannabis Convention is returning to Boston.