Cannabis Regulations in Boston, MA (2026)
4 verified cannabis regulations for Boston, Massachusetts, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Home Cultivation
Massachusetts legalized recreational cannabis in 2016 under MGL c.94G. Adults 21+ may cultivate up to 6 marijuana plants per person and 12 per household. Plants must be grown in an enclosed, locked space not visible from public areas. Boston does not impose additional municipal restrictions on home cultivation beyond state law.
Boston Home Cannabis Cultivation Rules
Some RestrictionsMGL c.94G § 7 — Personal Use and Home Cultivation of Marijuana
Section 7. Personal use of marijuana (a) Notwithstanding any other general or special law to the contrary, except as otherwise provided in this chapter, a person 21 years of age or older shall not be arrested, prosecuted, penalized, sanctioned or disqualified under the laws of the commonwealth in any manner, or denied any right or privilege and shall not be subject to seizure or forfeiture of a...
Dispensary Zoning
Boston regulates cannabis retail establishments through the Boston Cannabis Board (CBC Ord. §8-13) and zoning approval by the BPDA. Dispensaries must be at least 500 feet from schools and require a conditional use permit. The city has prioritized equity applicants and capped the number of non-equity licenses.
Boston Cannabis Dispensary Zoning Regulations
Heavy RestrictionsMass. Gen. Laws ch. 94G, Sec. 3(a)(1) (Local Control of Marijuana Establishments — Time, Place, Manner Zoning)
A city or town may adopt ordinances and by-laws that impose reasonable safeguards on the operation of marijuana establishments, provided they are not unreasonably impracticable and are not in conflict with this chapter or with regulations made pursuant to this chapter and that: (1) govern the time, place and manner of marijuana establishment operations and of any business dealing in marijuana a...
Buffer Zones
Boston's zoning code forbids cannabis establishments outright in Residential and H districts and treats them as a conditional use everywhere else, under a hard spacing rule: Use Item No. 39B requires any cannabis establishment to sit at least 2,640 feet (one-half mile) from another cannabis establishment and at least 500 feet from a pre-existing K-12 school, measured lot line to lot line.
Boston Cannabis Establishment Buffer Zone Rule
Significant RestrictionsBoston Zoning Code Art. 8, § 8-3 (Table A, Use Item No. 39B)
*Cannabis Establishment-provided that any cannabis establishment shall be sited at least one-half mile or 2,640 feet from another existing cannabis establishment and at least 500 feet from a pre-existing public or private school providing education in kindergarten or any of grades 1 through 12. Distances shall be determined from the nearest lot line of the proposed establishment to the nearest ...
Personal Cultivation Limits
Adults 21 and over in Boston may grow up to six cannabis plants per person and twelve per household under MGL Chapter 94G Section 7, provided the plants are not visible from public view and are secured from minors.
Boston home cannabis cultivation limits under MA law
Few RestrictionsMGL c.94G § 7(a)(2)–(4) — Home Cultivation Plant Limits
(2) within the person's primary residence, possessing up to 10 ounces of marijuana and any marijuana produced by marijuana plants cultivated on the premises and possessing, cultivating or processing not more than 6 marijuana plants for personal use so long as not more than 12 plants are cultivated on the premises at once; (3) assisting another person who is 21 years of age or older in any of th...