Cannabis is legal for adult use in Massachusetts, but still considered illegal under federal law. It’s a contradiction that confuses many consumers—and affects everything from national policy to how local dispensaries are perceived. At Redi Cannabis Dispensary, with locations in Newton and Natick, we believe it’s essential to help educate our community about how we got here, what’s changing, and how Massachusetts continues to lead in sensible cannabis reform.
Unlike large corporate chains, Redi is a small, locally owned and operated dispensary that’s deeply connected to the communities we serve in Newton and Natick.
Here’s a quick overview of why cannabis remains federally illegal, the history behind it, and how Massachusetts has shaped a more progressive path.
🌿 The Federal Ban: A Legacy of Politics, Not Science
Cannabis wasn’t always illegal. In fact, it was widely used throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries for medical purposes. So how did we get to today’s federal ban?
🔹 1937: The Marihuana Tax Act
This law effectively criminalized cannabis nationwide, largely due to political and racial motivations. Propaganda campaigns like “Reefer Madness” exaggerated the dangers of marijuana and linked it to immigrant communities and jazz musicians, stirring public fear.
🔹 1970: The Controlled Substances Act
This landmark federal law placed cannabis in Schedule I, alongside heroin and LSD. According to the law, Schedule I drugs are considered to have:
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No accepted medical use
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High potential for abuse
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No safety under medical supervision
🔹 1972: The Shafer Commission & Political Motives Behind Prohibition
Just two years after cannabis was placed in Schedule I, President Nixon’s own handpicked Shafer Commission released a report recommending decriminalization of marijuana, stating that it “does not cause physical addiction” and that the harms were “exaggerated”. The report concluded:
“The actual and potential harm of use of the drug is not great enough to justify intrusion by the criminal law into private behavior.”
— National Commission on Marihuana and Drug Abuse (Shafer Commission), 1972
Despite the commission’s findings, Nixon ignored the recommendation and escalated enforcement. Years later, Nixon aide John Ehrlichman candidly admitted the political motivations behind cannabis criminalization:
“We knew we couldn’t make it illegal to be either against the war or Black, but by getting the public to associate the hippies with marijuana and the Blacks with heroin… we could disrupt those communities.”
This confession underscores that cannabis’s Schedule I status wasn’t based on science or health risks—but on political strategy and social control.
Despite decades of scientific research proving cannabis’s therapeutic value, it remains in Schedule I today—making it federally illegal to possess, distribute, or manufacture, even in states that have legalized it.
As a small, community-based dispensary, Redi operates with deep respect for both state law and our customers’ trust—navigating these outdated federal laws with care and transparency.
🏛️ Federal Legalization: Where Things Stand
While Congress has debated cannabis reform for years, no federal law has yet been passed to legalize or decriminalize marijuana.
🔹 Recent Progress
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The MORE Act and SAFE Banking Act have both passed the House multiple times but stalled in the Senate.
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In 2022, President Biden issued a mass pardon for federal marijuana possession offenses and requested a review of cannabis scheduling—a step toward rescheduling or decriminalization.
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In 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommended moving cannabis to Schedule III, which would acknowledge medical use and reduce tax burdens—but the DEA has yet to finalize this change.
Until Congress acts or the DEA reschedules cannabis, it will remain illegal at the federal level.
🌱 Legalization in Massachusetts: A State-Level Success Story
While federal reform drags on, states like Massachusetts have led the way in normalizing cannabis through medical and adult-use legalization.
🔹 2008 – Decriminalization
Massachusetts voters decriminalized small amounts of cannabis, making possession of under 1 ounce a civil offense.
🔹 2012 – Medical Legalization
The state passed the Massachusetts Medical Use of Marijuana Initiative, allowing patients with qualifying conditions to purchase and use cannabis with a doctor’s recommendation.
🔹 2016 – Adult-Use Legalization
Massachusetts became one of the first East Coast states to legalize recreational cannabis for adults 21 and older. The Cannabis Control Commission (CCC) was created to regulate the market, ensure equity, and enforce safety.
🔹 Today: A Thriving In-State Industry
All cannabis sold in Massachusetts—whether in Newton, Natick, or beyond—must be grown, processed, and tested within state lines.
Redi proudly operates within this in-state ecosystem as a small, Massachusetts-owned business—not a national chain—partnering with local growers and producers to keep dollars circulating in our communities. That means when you shop at Redi Dispensary, you’re supporting a fully local supply chain and contributing to a regulated, community-rooted economy.
🎯 Redi’s Commitment to Local Cannabis & Community Education
At Redi, we’re more than just a dispensary—we’re your neighborhood resource for high-quality, Massachusetts-grown cannabis and trustworthy education.
We’re a small, locally owned business founded in Newton in 2021. Our mission is to provide premium cannabis with education, transparency, and heart.
We’ve grown into one of the top-rated dispensaries in both Newton and Natick by staying true to our roots and supporting smart, responsible cannabis reform.
Whether you’re new to cannabis or a seasoned user, we’re here to help you navigate the evolving landscape—safely, legally, and locally.
📍 Visit Redi Newton or Redi Natick Today
Experience the benefits of a locally owned, community-focused dispensary. Shop Massachusetts cannabis, support in-state growers, and be part of the movement toward smarter policy and access.
Redi Newton
24 Elliot St, Newton, MA 02461
🕒 Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 9 PM | Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
👉 Visit Newton
Redi Natick
26 Worcester St, Natick, MA 01760
🕒 Mon–Sat: 9 AM – 9 PM | Sun: 11 AM – 6 PM
👉 Visit Natick
When you support Redi, you’re choosing a local alternative to big-box cannabis. You’re helping a small business grow, thrive, and continue serving our hometowns with integrity.
Browse our menus, order online, and learn more at tryredi.com, or contact us with any questions.
