While West coast states have been quick to implement drug reform legislation, the East coast states have not only been slow to implement changes, but in some cases they have gone backwards. In 2000, Massachusetts voters took away the rights of felons to vote. This heavily affects the minority vote as the Massachusetts prison population is fifty percent minority. Massachusetts was one of three states that let convicted felons act as the citizens that they are and vote. The same year, a voter initiative that would have created an innovative treatment over incarceration program was narrowly defeated by a margin of 53 percent to 47 percent.

Massachusetts remains one of the very few states that have strict barriers in its laws for prescribing syringes. Syringe access programs have been proven to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C among injection drug users, and do not create an increase in injection drug users.

Massachusetts' Drug Policy Reform Organizations: 

• Drug Policy Forum of Massachusetts