Signature Drives to Place Cannabis Initiatives on 2026 Ballot Underway in Four States: Oklahoma, Florida, Oregon, and Idaho
Below is a state-by-state breakdown of these campaigns:
In Oklahoma, the group Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action is working to put State Question 837 to a public vote. The constitutional amendment would legalize cannabis for everyone 21 and older, allowing them to possess up to eight ounces and grow up to 12 plants. Licensed cannabis retail outlets would be authorized, with a 10 % excise tax placed on non-medical purchases with revenue directed to state programs.
Organizers began collecting signatures in August and must submit 172,993 valid signatures by November 3, 2025. Although Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action has not released a signature count, their petition has been available to sign in over 500 locations since September.
In Oregon, the Oregon Cannabis Café Coalition is working to legalize licensed cannabis consumption lounges, or “cannabis cafes”. Under the proposed law, those 21 and older would be allowed to bring their own cannabis and consume on-site; direct sales of cannabis products would remain prohibited. Lounges could sell food and non-cannabis beverages, and operations would be regulated by the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission.
The campaign cleared the initial signature hurdle in June 2025, submitting over 1,000 valid signatures to secure a certified ballot title. To qualify for the 2026 ballot, organizers must now collect just over 117,000 valid signatures from registered Oregon voters by May 2026.
In Florida, the political committee Smart & Safe Florida is working to place a legalization amendment on the ballot after a 2024 effort fell short of the 60 % super-majority threshold despite winning majority support. The new measure would similarly legalize recreational cannabis for those 21 and older, allow possession of up to two ounces, and retain prohibition on public consumption while sales would initially run through licensed medical marijuana treatment centers. The campaign has raised approximately $25.8 million as of October, nearly all coming from the state’s largest medical cannabis operator Trulieve.
Smart & Safe Florida has submitted some 662,543 valid signatures (about 75% of the 880,062 required), although there has not been an update since August.
The campaign is currently challenging a directive by state election officials to invalidate up to 200,000 petition signatures, arguing the state is changing rules after the fact.
A campaign in Idaho has cleared its initial hurdle and launched a signature drive aimed at qualifying a medical cannabis measure for the November 2026 ballot. The proposed act would reclassify marijuana under Idaho law from a Schedule I to Schedule II substance, allow qualified patients to purchase medicine from state-licensed dispensaries, ban public consumption, prohibit sharing among cardholders and ban vehicle/heavy equipment operation under the influence. Physicians recommending cannabis would be shielded from liability and patients would have employment/housing/child-custody protections. Supporters must gather valid signatures equal to 6 % of registered voters in at least 18 of Idaho’s 35 legislative districts. The initiative has now launched its statewide petition drive.