A campaign to legalize marijuana for adult use in Oklahoma is set to begin signature gathering this Wednesday, August 6, with the goal of qualifying for the November 2026 ballot.
The campaign, led by Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA), is backing State Question 837, a proposed initiative that would legalize marijuana for those 21 and older. The initiative would establish a regulated market for licensed sales and enact broad consumer protections, including for employment, housing, medical care, and firearm rights.
To qualify for the November 2026 ballot, supporters must gather 172,993 valid signatures by November 4. But ORCA has set a much higher target—300,000—to provide a buffer against legal challenges and invalidated signatures. “If we hit that number, any challenge under any existing law is 99.99% likely to fail,” the group recently stated.
Efforts are already ramping up across the state. According to an update posted today by ORCA, “We’ve got packets staged and more being assembled in the Tahlequah, Sallisaw, Tulsa and Norman areas. We’re making packets for all our locations with additional flyers and instruction sheets. Starting tomorrow afternoon, we’ll be delivering out of Norman, Sullivan and Tahlequah to surrounding areas. Tulsa should be online Wednesday!”
The campaign’s strategy includes three main components: enlisting retail partners, mobilizing volunteers, and deploying paid signature collectors. Supporters are being urged to get involved by hosting petition stations or signing up to canvass. ORCA says that if 300 businesses or volunteers each gather 1,000 signatures, they’ll hit their mark.
The proposal would also establish a 10% excise tax on recreational sales, with revenue divided among the state general fund (40%), counties (30%), and municipalities (30%).
For more information or to get involved, supporters can visit orca4ok.com.
