Oklahoma Races to Gather Signatures for Legal Marijuana Ballot Initiative
The campaign to legalize recreational cannabis in Oklahoma is entering its final stretch as advocates work urgently to collect enough signatures to qualify for the 2025 ballot. The group Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action, led by Jed Green, must submit more than 170,000 signatures by November 3 to place State Question 837 before voters — a measure that would establish legal marijuana for adults aged 21 and older.
Green said that the push for legal marijuana is about more than convenience; it’s about creating structure, safety, and fairness in Oklahoma’s cannabis market. “Our enforcement arms will not protect our children. We are attempting to do that,” he explained, emphasizing that legal marijuana could help eliminate black-market operations and ensure safer products through regulation.
So far, the campaign has gathered well over 100,000 signatures, according to Green. Petitions have been distributed across 500 locations statewide, with volunteers and business owners working together to reach the goal. The organization plans to collect the remaining signatures during the final week of October, a crucial period that could determine whether the proposal makes it to the ballot.
“We also have a lot of slackers — that’s just how cannabis rolls. So, we’ll find out soon exactly how we did.” His comments reflect the mixed but determined energy driving the grassroots effort behind legal marijuana in Oklahoma.
However, not everyone supports the initiative. The Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police and other law enforcement groups have raised concerns that legal marijuana could increase illegal grows and cartel involvement. They argue that without stricter oversight, expanding access may worsen existing problems in the state’s cannabis industry.
Despite opposition, supporters believe legal marijuana would generate tax revenue, create jobs, and reduce the burden on the criminal justice system. Green maintains that the real test lies in the signatures if enough Oklahomans sign, voters will finally have the chance to decide.
As the November 3 deadline approaches, volunteers continue to collect signatures at dispensaries, community events, and online outreach centers. Whether the measure succeeds or not, the surge in civic participation highlights growing interest in legal marijuana reform. For now, all eyes are on the countdown and whether the campaign can deliver the signatures needed to make legal marijuana a reality in Oklahoma.
