Oklahoma group launches effort to legalize marijuana for adults 21 and older

One of Oklahoma’s oldest cannabis advocacy groups has drafted a constitutional amendment to legalize marijuana for adults 21 years of age and older.

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) filed the proposed amendment with the state this week. If enough signatures are collected, it would appear on a future ballot as State Question 837.

Current state law only allows residents to purchase and possess marijuana if they have a medical marijuana patient license. If the state question becomes law, anyone could walk into a dispensary and make a purchase if they are at least 21 years old.

If there is no legal challenge against the proposal, signature-collecting could begin as early as July. ORCA Director Jed Green said the amendment could appear on Oklahoma ballots sometime in 2026.

Supporters will have to gather at least 172,993 verified signatures of registered Oklahoma voters to place it on the ballot.

What’s in State Question 837?

Aside from legalizing marijuana for adults 21 and older, the amendment preserves the existing medical marijuana framework.

Those who keep their medical patient status would be exempt from paying the current 7% excise tax for cardholders. Those without a patient license would have to pay a new 10% excise tax on each purchase.

Excise tax revenue, which is separate from sales tax, would be split between the state, county, and if applicable, the city where it was sold.

The amendment would also ensure that authorities cannot presume someone’s impairment or intoxication based solely on the use of marijuana or presence of THC in their system.

Read More…