Oklahoma voters may soon have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment that would legalize recreational marijuana purchases for individuals aged 21 and older. The initiative, known as State Question 837, is spearheaded by Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, led by Jed Green, who previously directed the successful medical marijuana campaign in 2018.
The proposed amendment would allow adults over 21 to cultivate up to 12 marijuana plants and possess 72 ounces of marijuana in edible and topical forms, along with eight ounces of commercially available marijuana. It also aims to eliminate the current excise tax on medical marijuana, replacing it with a 10% excise tax on recreational sales.
In 2023, voters rejected a previous attempt, State Question 820, to establish adult-use marijuana laws. Green noted that his organization opposed the earlier proposal and emphasized that the current initiative introduces a new licensing system. This proposal is structured as a constitutional amendment rather than a statutory measure. Green stated that the new plan prioritizes individual rights and freedoms while ensuring the protection of the existing medical marijuana program.
To bring this proposal to the ballot, supporters need to gather nearly 173,000 signatures. This campaign occurs alongside the introduction of Senate Bill 1027 in the state legislature, which seeks to impose new regulations on initiative petitions. The bill includes provisions that would limit the number of signatures needed from counties with populations over 400,000. Although Green’s organization opposes this bill, he believes it will not hinder their efforts to collect signatures for the amendment.
