Oregon’s Attorney General has certified a ballot title that will be put to voters by activists in 2026 to allow cannabis social lounges.
This move was made about a month ago, after circulating a draft of the ballot title. Only one comment from the public had been received.
It brings the organizers to one step closer towards the start of the signature gathering effort to qualify for the November 20, 2026 General Election.
The Oregon Cannabis Cafe Coalition (OCCC)—a Portland-based group that advocates for the legalization of marijuana smoking lounges and cafes where consumption of infused edibles is permitted—first needed to collect least 1,000 validated voter signatures in order have the state attorney general prepare the ballot title and summary. In June, the campaign submitted over 1,400 valid signatures. These were verified by Secretary of State Office Elections Division before the release of the draft ballot title.
The sole public comment on the draft said that “the word ‘lounges’ is too ambiguous to be contained in a ballot Title. The electorate would be better served by using an objective, legally relevant term like ‘business establishments.'”
Officials from the state have said that they do not agree with this comment.
“‘Lounge’ is commonly used to describe public rooms in hotels or bars, and is a neutral descriptor,” Dena Dawson, director of the Elections Division of the Secretary of State’s Office, wrote. “Further, any ambiguity in the definition of ‘lounge’ is appropriately captured by the quotation marks, which signals to voters that the measure specifically defines that term and uses it in that specifically defined sense.”
The deadline for submitting a petition to the Supreme Court of the State for re-examination is Friday, 5 September. If the court receives an appeal of this nature, it can uphold or modify the certified title.
The organizers can begin the petitioning process once they have finalized the ballot title. For the campaign to be placed on the ballot it will need to gather just over 117,000 valid voters signatures.
Justyce Seith, the chief petitioner of the Oregon Cannabis Social Lounge Act and the founder of OCCC, said to MEDCAN24 in a statement last month that “the campaign’s progress is much better than expected.” We are excited about the challenges that lie ahead.
This is the title of the ballot and its summary:
The government requires that “lounges”, which are open to the public, be licensed and provide outreach.
Results of “Yes Vote”: The “yes” vote would allow “microbusinesses to open “lounges”, where the public can consume cannabis (if they are 21 or older). It also creates an licensing system, and local oversight.
The result of a “No” vote: The current cannabis law will remain in effect if you vote “No”.
Summary: Federal/state laws currently prohibit public consumption. The measure amends the state law to require that Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission issue licenses for “social lounges”, where adult consumers can consume cannabis in public. The only “microbusinesses”, (undefined), that are eligible to apply for a licence, and cannabis dispensaries can’t operate under a legal entity or license name. No cannabis can be sold on premises. Adults are required to bring their own cannabis. Operators may only sell food and beverages that are not cannabis-based if they have been certified by the local health department. They may also sell CBD-derived hemp products. On-premises consumption of alcohol and tobacco products is prohibited. Local governments may issue permits, impose additional limitations/restrictions. It requires OLCC/public authorities to offer “educational material and outreach programs” about the rules and purpose of lounges.
Seith had previously informed MEDCAN24 of an initial goal to fund professional petitioners, advertising on billboards, website design and local events. Her outreach included companies and people who could help with volunteer work, hosting campaign events or enhancing organizers efforts.
It would be wonderful if anyone was willing to give monetary funding, or time and resources. she said at the time, encouraging supporters to visit the campaign’s website and Instagram page or email organizers directly. “I am really just one woman trying make a change.”
Seith initially filed the initiative petition in April, a little more than a month after submitting a separate, similar proposal that would legalize cannabis cafes. It is this later initiative which calls the cannabis cafes “social lounges” that the campaign hopes to present to voters.
The initiative would regulate and legalize state-licensed lounges for cannabis consumption, providing what it describes as a “safe, legal environment” where adults can consume cannabis in accordance with the state laws.
In the purpose section of the petition, it states: “These lounges are designed to operate in such a way as to protect public health and safety while providing cannabis users with an area where they can enjoy their cannabis in a social setting, as well allowing them the purchase and consumption non-medicated beverages and food.”
Only small marijuana businesses, or microbusinesses as they are known in Washington State, will be eligible for cannabis social club licenses.
Under the proposal, cannabis social lounges could allow adults 21 and older to consume cannabis and sell “unmedicated food and beverages,” but they could not “sell, distribute, or provide cannabis for sale on the premises” of the business.
According to the proposed legislation, marijuana use “must be limited” to the smoking of cannabis, the vaping of it, or the eating of its non-edible forms.
Alcohol and tobacco—including nicotine vape products—would be strictly prohibited at the businesses. Businesses would have to be closed by 2 am.
The local government has not yet stated whether it will prohibit such establishments. It is unclear whether local governments could ban the establishments. The local governments will also have the ability to inspect these lounges in order to verify compliance with both state and municipal law.
New businesses would be supervised by regulators at the Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission. In the petition, there is a description of how lounges can apply for a licence, and some penalties. The petition notes, for instance, that violating any provision in this act could result in fines or license suspensions. The petition also states that the operation of an unlicensed lounge may result in civil or criminal penalties.
As for public education, lounges would be required to post “signs or other visual aids…to inform patrons about the risks of cannabis consumption and the lounge’s operating rules,” the proposal says.
OLCC will also collaborate with the public health authorities to “provide educational materials and to conduct outreach programs in order to make sure that Oregonians understand what cannabis lounges are for and how they operate.”
If approved, the new measure would be on Oregon’s ballot for November 20, 2026. The new measure would go into effect on January 1, 2027 if approved.