Oklahoma Marijuana Legalization Initiative Fails to Qualify for 2026 Ballot

The campaign needed 172,993 valid signatures but did not turn in petitions to the Secretary of State’s Office by the required date, officially ending its effort to place the measure before voters next year. The group did not publicly state how many signatures they were able to collect, but did point out that over 500 locations hosted their petition. State Question 837 would have legalized marijuana for adults 21 and older, allowed limited home cultivation, and created a regulated retail market overseen by state officials. It also included provisions to expunge certain marijuana-related convictions and direct marijuana tax revenue toward education, health care, and other public services.

Oklahoma remains home to one of the largest medical marijuana markets in the country, with over 300,000 registered patients and roughly $50 million in monthly sales. ORCA organizers had hoped to build on that foundation by expanding access to recreational use, but without the necessary signatures, voters will not see the proposal on the 2026 ballot.

Campaign leaders have not yet said whether they plan to pursue another initiative in a future election cycle.