REPORT:
Reflecting on Question 4

a post-election analysis of the results in Massachusetts

by Abel Gustafson & MATTHEW GOLDBERG
November 2024

On November 5th, Massachusetts voted on a ballot measure that would have legalized the possession and use of some natural psychedelics in some situations. This vote followed many months of hard work by dedicated advocates who fought for legal access to natural psychedelic substances. 

The limited polling available indicated the measure would be decided by a narrow margin. In the days leading up to the election, we explained why we thought that although it could go either way, it seemed more likely than not that it would pass.

However, the election ended in a decisive loss (43% Yes, 57% No). Here, we explain some likely reasons why the ballot measure did not pass, and what we can learn from this for the future.

Going Forward

We see three main takeaways from this result.

First, the specific content of the ballot measure likely had a significant effect on baseline level of support, with legalization being much more difficult to pass than medical access. Additional message testing of the policy details and its wording could provide substantial strategic value before it makes it onto future ballots. 

Second, polls across the country underestimated conservative sentiment, and not enough state-level data was available in Massachusetts. We need more state-specific data, and we need to improve our methods of surveying the public. This is why we are fundraising for the Psychedelics Social Insights Hub, which will provide data, polling, and strategy in all 50 states.

Third, despite the incredible progress made by many advocates in this movement, the surrounding political context showed broader pushback of other drug policy reforms, such as the unsuccessful cannabis legalization efforts in ND and SD. Efforts to educate the public about the benefits of these reforms must go beyond the state or local area of interest. Broader coalitions are needed.

Citation

This report may be cited as:

Gustafson, A., & Goldberg, M. H., (2024). Reflecting on Question 4: A post-election analysis of the psychedelics ballot measure in Massachusetts. XandY. New Haven, CT. Retrieved from https://www.xandyanalytics.com/ma-ballot-measure-post