Oklahoma Could See Cannabis Legalization Back on the Ballot in 2026

Oklahoma may soon be back in the national spotlight for cannabis reform. A new proposal submitted March 31 could put adult-use marijuana back before voters in 2026—just three years after the state shot down a similar measure by a wide margin.

This time around, it’s a different group behind the effort, and they believe the landscape—and the public mood—has shifted.

The Proposal: What’s in State Question 837?

The new proposal, formally titled State Question 837, was filed by Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA). It’s a constitutional amendment, which gives it a bit more legal weight than a statutory change. And it’s pretty comprehensive.

Adults 21 and older would be allowed to:

• Possess up to 8 ounces of cannabis flower

• Carry 1 ounce of cannabis concentrate

• Grow up to 12 plants at home, with no limit on how much they can keep from those harvests—if it’s stored at home

That’s not all. The amendment would establish a regulated marketplace, allowing licensed businesses to grow, process, and sell cannabis. A 10% excise tax would be applied to recreational sales, while eliminating the 7% excise tax currently imposed on medical marijuana patients.

So yeah, it’s a big swing.

Who’s Behind It This Time?

Unlike the last initiative, which was spearheaded by Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, this effort is being led by ORCA, a group that’s been vocal about creating cannabis policies that reflect the state’s “liberty-first” values.

The failed 2023 campaign under State Question 820 lost with 62% voting no. ORCA’s director, Jed Green, thinks that loss came down to timing and trust—or the lack thereof.

“People didn’t trust the outside influence behind 820,” he said last year, after the defeat. “This is Oklahoma. We don’t like being told what to do by DC think tanks.”

One sentence here, for balance.

Now, ORCA’s betting that a more locally-rooted, grassroots approach will be better received.

Why 2026? And Why Now?

ORCA could’ve gone for 2024. But let’s be real—presidential election years get messy, and their initiative might’ve gotten buried under the noise.

There’s also the very real issue of fatigue. After the 2023 rejection, a lot of voters probably felt like they’d already made up their minds. ORCA seems to be playing the long game.

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Plus, pushing a constitutional amendment gives the proposal more permanence than a simple statutory change. It can’t be easily overturned or changed by lawmakers later down the line.

What Makes This Different Than the 2023 Measure?

Sure, both proposals aimed at adult-use legalization. But there are key differences.

Here’s a quick look:

One sentence to let that sink in.

This isn’t just a copy-paste of what failed last time. ORCA’s making a point of learning from the missteps.

Will It Pass This Time? Let’s Be Honest

That’s the million-dollar question.

Oklahoma surprised the nation in 2018 when it passed medical marijuana with 57% of the vote, making it one of the most permissive programs in the country. Dispensaries popped up like coffee shops. Small towns became mini cannabis hubs. And the industry boomed fast.

But not everyone was thrilled.

Rural communities complained about illegal grows. Law enforcement said oversight was thin. And some voters felt the system had spun out of control.

So even though the medical side found quick success, recreational might be a tougher sell. Especially in conservative pockets where distrust in regulation and drug use runs deep.

Still, a few things could tilt the odds:

• More states around Oklahoma—like Missouri—have gone legal, shifting regional perception

• Younger voters are becoming a bigger part of the electorate

• Polling across the U.S. shows increasing support for legalization, even among Republicans

And hey, three years is a long time in politics.

What Happens Next?

Now that the petition’s been submitted to Secretary of State Josh Cockroft, it’ll go through legal review and potentially face challenges. Once approved for circulation, ORCA will need to gather roughly 173,000 valid signatures to get the question officially on the 2026 ballot.

That’s no small feat. But they’ve got time.

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A lot can happen between now and November 2026. Economic shifts, political shakeups, maybe even another national push for federal reform. Everything’s on the table.