Oklahoma Launches New Campaign to Legalize Adult Use Cannabis in 2025

Organizers to Begin Statewide Signature Drive in Hopes of Qualifying Legalization Ballot Measure for June Primary

Oklahoma may be heading for another high-stakes vote on recreational cannabis. A new campaign led by the advocacy group Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) is preparing to launch a statewide signature drive next week, aiming to place a question on the 2025 primary ballot that would legalize adult-use marijuana across the state.

The campaign, if successful, would mark Oklahoma’s second attempt to pass adult-use cannabis via the ballot box—this time with new strategies and fresh urgency as the state’s medical marijuana market continues to shrink under tightening regulations.

Organizers have marked August 6 as the official launch date for signature collection, with the goal of putting State Question 837 before voters in June 2025, during the primary election. Supporters hope to tap into the state’s large cannabis-friendly voter base while overcoming newly imposed barriers to signature gathering.

What State Question 837 Would Change: From Medical-Only to Full Adult-Use Access

State Question 837 seeks to legalize recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and over. While Oklahoma already has one of the most accessible medical marijuana systems in the United States, the new initiative would expand legal cannabis access by:

• Preserving the current medical marijuana program, with oversight continuing under the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA).
  
• Allowing adults 21+ to legally purchase marijuana products from existing medical dispensaries, effectively streamlining retail expansion.
  
• Implementing a 10% excise tax on adult-use cannabis purchases, in addition to existing state and local sales taxes.
  

The amendment would allow cannabis companies already licensed under the state’s medical system to serve the recreational market, which could provide an immediate boost to Oklahoma’s struggling cannabis industry.

Overcoming the Shadow of the 2023 Defeat: A Second Shot at Legalization

This isn’t Oklahoma’s first flirtation with adult-use legalization. In March 2023, voters decisively rejected a similar proposal during a special election. That campaign suffered from low voter turnout, limited public education, and opposition from conservative leaders including Governor Kevin Stitt and law enforcement agencies.

Despite that setback, organizers remain optimistic. They argue that the political environment has shifted, and public opinion is warming. Moreover, this new campaign has taken lessons from the previous failure, adjusting its approach to voter engagement, legal language, and overall timing.

By aligning the ballot measure with a primary election, ORCA hopes to draw more supportive voters to the polls while avoiding the unpredictability of low-turnout special elections.

New Barriers to Signature Collection May Complicate the Path to the Ballot

Although the campaign has clear goals, reaching them won’t be easy. Under Oklahoma law, constitutional amendments require at least 173,000 valid signatures from registered voters in order to qualify for the ballot. However, campaign organizers say they’re aiming much higher.

In a recent Facebook post, ORCA wrote: “Forget any number but 300,000 as a signature goal.” The group believes that securing such a high number will make it virtually impossible for opponents to challenge the petition’s validity under any legal grounds.

That high threshold is even more important now due to new laws enacted in 2023 that place stricter rules on signature collection:

• Only registered Oklahoma voters are now allowed to collect signatures.
  
• Signature gathering must occur statewide, not just in high-population urban areas like Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
  
• Petitions are subject to new scrutiny and potential disqualification, raising the stakes for compliance.
  

These changes are widely seen as efforts to curb direct democracy efforts like marijuana legalization. They add logistical and financial pressure to campaigns, which must now train local volunteers or hire in-state petitioners to meet their targets.

Reviving Oklahoma’s Cannabis Industry: Why Legalization Could Be a Lifeline

Beyond politics, economic factors are also fueling the push for legalization. Oklahoma’s cannabis industry—once considered one of the fastest-growing and most accessible in the nation—is showing clear signs of contraction.

After years of explosive growth following the legalization of medical marijuana in 2018, the market has cooled significantly. According to recent data, about 40% of licensed operators let their permits expire over a 12-month period ending in July 2024.

The reasons for the decline are numerous:

• Market oversaturation, with too many producers and dispensaries chasing too few patients.
  
• Regulatory crackdowns aimed at curbing illegal diversion and out-of-state sales.
  
• Increased compliance costs and inspections, making it harder for small operators to survive.
  
• Falling wholesale prices, which have squeezed margins for growers and retailers.
  

Legalization could revive the sector by opening the market to a larger customer base, boosting sales, and potentially attracting more investors and entrepreneurs. A 10% excise tax on adult-use sales could also generate millions in new state revenue, which could be directed toward education, public health, or cannabis regulation itself.

ORCA Aims to Build a Broader Coalition with Grassroots Support and Public Education

This time around, ORCA is emphasizing a more grassroots approach. By engaging directly with local communities, advocacy groups, and cannabis stakeholders across the state, organizers hope to build a broader coalition in support of legalization.

The campaign also plans to invest in public education efforts to combat misinformation and explain the details of State Question 837. That includes clarifying:

• The preservation of medical marijuana rights and access.
  
• The potential economic and tax benefits of legalization.
  
• The strict regulatory framework that would govern adult-use cannabis.
  

Organizers are optimistic that a well-informed electorate will support the measure, especially if the campaign can generate momentum through early signature gathering and media outreach.

Opposition Remains, But the Path to Legalization Is Still Open

Despite ORCA’s optimism, opposition to legalization remains strong. Governor Kevin Stitt has voiced consistent opposition to recreational marijuana and is unlikely to support any legalization effort. Law enforcement groups, religious organizations, and conservative activists are also expected to organize resistance.

Opponents argue that legalizing cannabis will lead to increased youth access, impaired driving, and broader public health concerns. Some also contend that the state’s existing medical marijuana system already provides adequate access for those with legitimate needs.

Still, public support for adult-use cannabis has been growing across the country—including in red states. With the right timing, message, and mobilization, Oklahoma could become the latest state to shift toward broader cannabis access.

Signature Drive Marks Critical First Step in Oklahoma’s Next Cannabis Chapter

As the August 6 launch date approaches, all eyes will be on ORCA and its ability to mobilize voters. The signature drive will set the tone for the campaign ahead—if successful, it could reignite the conversation about cannabis legalization not just in Oklahoma, but in conservative-leaning states nationwide.

If placed on the June 2025 ballot, State Question 837 would give Oklahoma voters a second chance to weigh in on whether the time has come to end cannabis prohibition for good.

Whether it passes or fails, the effort underscores the persistence of cannabis reform advocates and the ongoing evolution of marijuana policy in the American heartland.