Oklahoma Marijuana Advocates Press On with Ballot Initiative Despite New Restrictions
Despite uncertainty surrounding the constitutionality of a new law that imposes stricter regulations on the initiative process, Oklahoma marijuana legalization supporters are moving forward with their effort to put the issue on the ballot.
The group, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, has received permission to begin collecting signatures for State Question 837, a constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana. The deadline to collect the required 172,993 signatures is November 3.
The new law, Senate Bill 1027, which was signed into effect by Governor Kevin Stitt in May, imposes caps on the number of signatures that can be collected by county, a move that supporters argue will force greater participation outside of the most populated areas.
Jed Green, director of Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, said the group is proceeding with caution, following guidance from the Secretary of State’s office. “This is basically extra administrative work for us,” he said. “The more egregious unconstitutional aspects of 1027 may be litigated at some point in the future.”
The group will need to collect signatures in 20 counties, a task that Green believes can be accomplished due to the organization’s statewide presence.
Amber England, a veteran of several ballot initiatives, including the successful effort to expand Medicaid, expressed skepticism about the new law’s impact. “I think it is nearly impossible for anyone to be successful under the new rules,” she said. “The process has gotten harder every single time because of the different restrictions the Legislature has put on the process in an effort to take power away from voters.”
The push for recreational marijuana legalization comes after voters approved medical marijuana in 2018, but rejected a proposed state statute change to legalize recreational use in 2023. Despite the challenges, supporters remain optimistic about the issue’s chances.
“We are proceeding forward and following the guidance provided by the secretary of state at the front end,” Green said. “We are confident that we can successfully collect the necessary signatures and put the issue on the ballot.”
