Cannabis News

Oklahoma Activists Withdraw 2026 Marijuana Legalization Ballot Initiative

Published

2 months ago

November 4, 2025

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Oklahoma activists have withdrawn a marijuana legalization initiative they had hoped to put on the state’s 2026 ballot.

After a brief but aggressive signature push to secure ballot placement, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) ultimately failed to submit petitions by the deadline, according to the secretary of state.

It’s a critical setback for advocates, who partnered with retailers across the state — from existing medical cannabis dispensaries to tattoo parlors — to place orders. More than 500 locations provided support by serving as signature locations.

ORCA needed to submit 172,993 valid signatures by Monday, and despite the campaign’s optimism about progress, the Secretary of State confirmed that no cuts have been made.

“RETIRATION PROMOTIONS OF THE AUTHORITY”, website of the office he says. “November 3, 2025; No application brochure filed on behalf of IP449; IP449 is no longer active in the office of the Secretary of State.”

Despite the decentralized, largely volunteer nature of the campaign effort and not actively verifying signatures collected, ORCA founder Jed Green, who could not be reached for comment Monday or Tuesday, told Marijuana Moment last month that the group had “a pretty big stack” of signed petitions on hand.

The campaign was still discussing hundreds of signed petitions as of Monday evening.

It was a tight turn to deliver the signatures, as the campaign only started collecting them in August, and advocates were given about three months to do the work.

There were particular challenges this election cycle, as Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) gave final approval to the legislation earlier this year, which some advocates worry will block future citizen-led policy changes, including cannabis reform.

It is laid down by law Additional requirements regarding the initiative language that voters see on the ballot and also revised signature-gathering policies to require petitioners to submit signatures of only 11.5 percent of registered voters in a single county for bills and 20.8 percent for constitutional measures. The law is currently being challenged for reasons unrelated to the specific cannabis proposition.

Green said earlier that it’s one of the main differences between the initiative his own the organization A previous one that was pushed this year and failed on the 2023 ballot is that it accounted for concerns about licensing rules. Many have criticized the expansion of the state’s medical marijuana law, which led to a proliferation of dispensaries, and Green said the failed adult-use measure effectively duplicated that licensing scheme.

Here’s what ORCA’s latest marijuana legalization initiative would accomplish:

It would allow adults over the age of 21 to purchase and possess up to eight ounces of cannabis for personal use. They can also contain up to 12 plants grown and harvested, and contain up to one ounce of concentrated cannabis.
The proposed Constitutional amendment would also provide that Oklahoma banks will not be penalized for servicing state-licensed cannabis businesses.
The initiative also includes protections for adults not to be penalized for “health care, housing, employment, public assistance, public welfare, parental rights, educational opportunity, extracurricular activities” and “licensing or authorized activities” such as firearm ownership and driving privileges as a result of legal cannabis activity.
Within these safeguards, the presence of THC metabolites in a person’s system could not be used as evidence of impairment.
Local governments would not be able to impose bans on the cultivation of marijuana at home, and any regulations they impose on the activity could not be an “undue burden.” Furthermore, there is no public ordinance on the public smoking of marijuana that could be more restrictive than what is currently in place for tobacco.
Existing medical cannabis licensees, as well as new retail licensees, would be able to start selling to adult consumers 60 days after the measure goes into effect. After 180 days, they could start distributing cannabis products to adults.
The same state departments that oversee the current medical cannabis program would be responsible for regulating the adult-use market.
It would impose a 10 percent excise tax on adult marijuana products, and the initiative provides that the legislature will be empowered to lower but not raise that tax rate.
The revenue from those tax dollars would go to the state general fund (40 percent), as well as the county governments where the retail sales occurred (30 percent) and municipal governments (30 percent). For unincorporated jurisdictions, the revenue would be split equally, 50 percent to the general fund and 50 percent to the counties.
60 days after the measure goes into effect, the tax rate on marijuana for registered cannabis patients would be waived.
It also states that state-licensed marijuana businesses cannot be prevented from engaging in interstate commerce if there is a change in federal law, or a court action, that authorizes such activity. If that happens, the legislature would be allowed to impose a 3 percent wholesale tax on cannabis exported across state lines.

Meanwhile, in the middle of the signature collection process, law enforcement leaders with the Oklahoma Chiefs Association and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs. was raising concerns about cannabis.

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It’s Marijuana Time tracking hundreds of cannabis, psychedelic and drug policy bills in state legislatures and Congress this year. Patreon supporters by pledging at least $25/month, you’ll get access to our interactive maps, charts, and audio calendars so you never miss a development.

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Also in Oklahoma, lawmakers advanced a bill that was targeted in March Protecting the gun rights of state-registered medical marijuana patientsalthough federal law still prohibits cannabis users from possessing firearms regardless of patient status.

It would be another state bill introduced by a GOP lawmaker in January criminalizing the use of medical cannabis during pregnancy.

Photo by Chris Wallis // Side Pocket Images.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

Vivent Biosignals & Green Laniel join forces to bring plant-driven agriculture to the US

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

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Vivent Biosignals and Green Laniel Consulting have announced a partnership to accelerate plant-driven irrigation and irrigation in key U.S. agricultural markets. Green Laniel Consulting is a US-focused provider of agronomic solutions led by Mauricio Manotas.

By combining Vivent’s ability to decode plant biosignals in real-time using plant biosensors, machine learning and AI with Green Laniel’s deep experience in agronomy, grower operations and US market access, the partnership allows growers to make decisions based on what really matters: how the plant itself is responding.

The partnership will cover a variety of crops and production systems, initially plant-driven irrigation and greenhouses for perennial crops, including potatoes, directly guided by plant feedback.

“By combining Vivint’s plant-level intelligence with Green Laniel’s strong presence and agronomic leadership in the US, we are enabling a new generation of plant-driven farming systems. This partnership helps growers improve yields and quality while significantly increasing resource efficiency and sustainability.” says Mauricio Manotas, Green Laniel Consulting.

For more information:
Vivent Biosignals
Tel.: +41 79 5114627
Email: (email protected)
https://vivent-biosignals.com/

Cannabis News

Indiana Lawmakers Approve Bill To Restrict And Regulate Hemp THC Products

Published

19 hours ago

January 17, 2026

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“In India, we would like some certainty about these products so that those who manufacture and sell them know what our laws are.”

By Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Indiana lawmakers want state legislation to join the recently enacted federal ban on intoxicating and synthetic hemp products to counter the growing delta-8 industry.

Lengthy and complex legislation would also regulate less potent products that pass statutory muster.

But, “there will be no demand” for products below the proposed threshold, said Justin Swanson, representing the Midwest Hemp Council and 3Chi, a THC products retailer.

THC is the active ingredient in marijuana.

Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, admitted to the committee that he would prefer to “wipe all these things off the planet, period,” but that his proposal is “whatever is possible.”

His Senate Bill 250 would mimic Congress’s shutdown of what Freeman described as the “Farm Bill loophole,” referring to 2018 legislation that defined legal hemp as any part of the plant that contains less than 0.3 percent delta-9 THC by dry weight. That definition allowed products containing delta-8, THCA and other intoxicating cannabinoids to proliferate, including in Indiana.

A federal funding law passed in November specifies that all types of THC count. It also limits THC products to just 0.4 milligrams per container, and completely bans those made in labs.

“I think (that’s) what the federal government wanted when they passed the Farm Bill in 2018; I think that’s what everybody had in mind when they copied that language here in Indiana,” said Chris Daniels, chief traffic safety resource attorney for the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council. “The target was very low potency THC.”

An industry group supported the changes.

“It is imperative that Indiana act to align with federal policy in the 2026 legislative session,” said Cory Harris, representative of the American Cannabis and Hemp Trade Association. “Failure to do so means that Indiana’s policy will be stricter than federal law, making Indiana a legal cannabis market.”

The federal provisions will go into effect in November. Freeman’s bill repeats those provisions, but puts them into effect four months earlier, in July.

“It’s sweet that Indiana codified a federal law that will decimate an entire industry in the state,” Swanson said. “The landscape is still unsettled.”

U.S. Rep. Jim Baird — a Republican representing Indiana — introduced a proposal to push the effective date of the federal ban to 2028. President Donald Trump also signed an executive order to expedite the reclassification of marijuana as a less dangerous and less restricted drug.

Swanson said his clients support a “responsible regulatory framework,” and told lawmakers that “the status quo is not acceptable to anyone.”

Freeman’s invoice spends dozens of pages specifically regulating low-THC “hemp-derived cannabinoid products” that would be legalized, primarily with a long-standing 21-and-over requirement.

It also puts the Indiana Alcohol and Tobacco Commission in charge of regulating the rest of the industry, establishing four types of licenses for manufacturers, distributors, retailers and carriers. They would be prohibited from advertising within 1,000 feet of schools, playgrounds and others, with retailers prohibited from operating within the same radius.

Retailers would not be able to deliver products or allow customers to consume them on the spot. Selling the products online would also be illegal, another sticking point for advocates.

Dave Colt, CEO and co-founder of Sun King Brewery, said his homegrown company spent months and more than $100,000 on equipment, research and development for its THC seltzer. Amid declining alcohol sales nationwide, seltzers have allowed Sun King to retain its employees and even grow.

“We also make products for at least a dozen Hoosier small businesses. Without that additional revenue, we would be forced to lay off people and reduce our business significantly,” Colt stated. “We believe the industry wants clear regulations to meet consumer demand.”

Other provisions relate to packaging, labeling and testing.

A fiscal impact study by the nonpartisan Service Agency estimated a financial impact of half a billion dollars annually for ATC to administer and enforce the proposal. The agency will have to hire at least one excise officer in each of the six districts plus Marion County to investigate complaints related to the new regulatory framework.

There will be additional costs for law enforcement training, procurement and online databases, the analysis noted.

The costs could be offset by the permit and other fees collected. The measure would allocate 70 percent of the proceeds to ATC administrative efforts, 20 percent to enforcement, 5 percent to the state’s 988 suicide and crisis hotline and 5 percent to the general fund.

If all tobacco sales certificate holders applied for a retail permit, for example, their application fees would generate $2.1 million. If all are approved, the state would earn an additional $4.6 million, according to LSA’s analysis.

The state seed commissioner would handle licensing for hemp growers and handlers.

Freeman also included a sentence that prevents the Indiana code from immediately reflecting the federal reclassification of marijuana, if that goes forward.

“This bill simply says that we’re not going to automatically follow what the federal government does, that we, the 150 of us, would make that decision, not the federal government for us,” Freeman told his colleagues.

The Senate Commerce and Technology committee also approved an amendment to eliminate an excise tax, as all revenue-raising provisions must be initiated in the House.

The revised legislation passed on a 7-2 party line vote, but the next bill must pass through the Senate Appropriations Committee before going to the House floor.

Previous efforts to ban and regulate intoxicating hemp products have failed.

Asked about his chances this year, Senate Republican Leader Rodric Bray told reporters, “I don’t have that crystal ball,” but added, “I think the bill is in pretty good shape right now.”

“I think in Indiana, we would like some certainty about these products, so that those who manufacture and sell them know what our laws are,” he continued, “and, most importantly, to build in some really meaningful protections for our young people across the state.”

This story was first published by the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

Brendan Cleak’s photo.

Marijuana Moment is made possible with the help of readers. If you rely on our pro-cannabis journalism to stay informed, consider a monthly Patreon pledge.

Cannabis News

Creating a thoughtful cannabis environment for Colorado Springs

Published

2 days ago

January 16, 2026

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In Colorado Springs, where the landscape of legal cannabis is centered around medical use, BioMeds Weed Dispensary Colorado Springs has become a destination for patients seeking high-quality cannabis products and a fair and respectful retail experience. Located at 2301 Rand Avenue, BioMeds has developed a reputation for prioritizing product integrity, patient education and consistent service in response to the brightest trends found in recreationally oriented markets.

Unlike recreational dispensaries, where the volume and variety can sometimes overwhelm, BioMeds takes a deliberate approach. The dispensary offers a good selection of medical cannabis products, including a variety of delivery formats to suit your health needs. These typically include flower strains, tinctures, capsules, topicals, and ingestibles, allowing patients to explore therapeutic cannabis without relying on inhaled methods.

BioMeds understands that patients arrive with different experiences, preferences and conditions. To meet these needs, the dispensary emphasizes informed, non-judgmental customer service based on product knowledge. The staff is trained to explain how different formats work, as well as interpret cannabinoid ratios, identify common terpenes, and select products that match specific wellness goals.

BioMeds’ product selection is part of the reason patients turn to cannabis. For many, whole flower remains a must-have choice, especially strains that emphasize CBD content, balanced proportions or effect-specific terpene profiles. BioMeds often sells indica, sativa, and hybrids with specific labeling, allowing patients to make informed decisions about onset time, duration, and expected outcome. Beyond flower, tinctures and capsules offer discreet, dose-controlled ways to incorporate cannabis into your daily wellness routine, especially for those managing pain, inflammation, or neurological conditions.

Topicals are also a key part of BioMeds’ offering. These include cannabinoid-infused creams, salves, and lotions intended for topical use. Patients dealing with joint discomfort, muscle tension, or skin conditions often turn to topical products for their non-toxic effects and targeted relief. These products also serve as an entry point for patients exploring cannabis for the first time, especially when faced with systemic or psychoactive effects.

Another category that sees sustained interest in BioMeds is ingestion. These may include low-dose edibles, oils, or beverages tailored to patients seeking long-lasting, absorbed beverages. While recreational edibles in Colorado may gravitate toward high-THC formats, medically focused dispensaries like BioMeds ensure that low-dose, balanced-ratio, CBD-rich formats are available and clearly labeled. Many patients prefer longer-lasting edible formats, especially for managing symptoms at night or for relief throughout the day.

Compliance is a pillar of BioMeds’ operating philosophy. As a medical-only dispensary, the group complies with all Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) guidelines. Patients must present a valid marijuana card, and all transactions are recorded and monitored according to state protocols. BioMeds does not allow recreational sales and maintains internal training programs to keep employees up-to-date on evolving regulations, labeling requirements and patient protection.

While the dispensary may not offer flashy promotions or themed events often seen in the recreational market, it has placed a special emphasis on medical integrity and personalized service in the Colorado Springs cannabis landscape. For patients who prioritize results over hype, BioMeds offers a consistent experience with proven products and a team that truly understands the nuances of using medical cannabis.

Behind the scenes, BioMeds maintains strong supplier relationships to ensure product availability and freshness. Inventory is regularly reviewed and rotated, and the team communicates directly with manufacturers to maintain transparency around sourcing, testing and packaging. The dispensary favors small and medium-sized Colorado growers who focus on consistency and compliance, with many products undergoing third-party lab testing for cannabinoid content, residual solvents and microbial contamination.

For more information:
BioMeds Weed Dispensary Colorado Springs
biomedsofcolorado.com/