The campaign to legalize cannabis social lounges has reached its next milestone. State officials have approved a draft title for the ballot and a summary of its proposed voter initiative.
This move puts organizers closer to launching a signature collection effort statewide to qualify this measure for the general elections in November 2026.
The Oregon Cannabis Cafe Coalition (OCCC)—a Portland-based group that advocates for the legalization of smoking lounges and cafes where consumption of infused edibles is permitted—needed to collect least 1,000 validated voter signatures in order have the state attorney general prepare the ballot title and summary. The Oregon Cannabis Cafe Coalition (OCCC) submitted 1,400 validated voter signatures in June. They were later verified this month by Secretary of State Office Elections Division.
The office of the Attorney General released a summary and title for the measure’s proposed ballot on Wednesday. Public comments are due by August 6th.
If no one challenges the draft title and summary, said Justyce Seith, chief petitioner for the Oregon Cannabis Social Lounge Act, broader signature gathering is expected to begin in September.
To put this initiative on the ballot, the campaign must collect over 117,000 valid signatures of voters.
Seith, OCCC founder, wrote to MEDCAN24 this week that “the campaign’s progress is much better than expected.” “We’re very excited to face the challenges ahead.”
She also added that a representative of the campaign will be speaking at a City of Portland Cannabis Policy Oversight Team meeting (CPOT), scheduled for September 11,
On Wednesday, the AG’s office released draft titles for ballots and a summary of those titles.
DRAFT BALLOT TITRE
Cannabis lounges are allowed to be open for public consumption; licensing and government outreach required
The result of the “Yes vote” is: The “Yes’ vote permits “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 prohibition on public consumption of marijuana products remains 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), are eligible to apply for a license. Retail cannabis dispensaries can’t operate under a legal entity or license. No cannabis can be sold on premises. Adults are required to bring their own cannabis. Operators may only sell food/beverages that are not cannabis-based if they have been certified by the local health department. They may also sell CBD-derived hemp products. The consumption/use of tobacco/alcohol is not allowed on the premises. Local governments may issue permits, impose additional limitations/restrictions. The OLCC/public-health authorities are required to provide educational materials and outreach programmes regarding the purpose of lounges and their rules.
Seith, who spoke to MEDCAN24 a month ago, said that a major goal for the campaign will be to raise enough money to cover professional petitioners, advertising on billboards, website design, and local events. In addition, she was reaching out to individuals and companies who may be willing to host events for the campaign or volunteer.
If anyone would like to donate money, time, and/or resources that would be great! 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. This campaign is attempting to get the voters to vote on the later initiative that refers to these facilities as “social clubs”.
It would allow for the regulation and licensing of state-licensed cannabis lounges. This initiative calls it “a safe, lawful environment where adults may consume cannabis”.
The petition states that “These lounges are designed to operate in such a way as to ensure public safety and health, provide adult cannabis users with designated spaces where they can enjoy their cannabis in social settings and allow the sale and consumption unmedicated foods and beverages.”
Only small marijuana businesses – known in this state as “microbusinesses” – 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.
The proposal states that marijuana consumption “must only be restricted to vaping and non-edible product.”
Alcohol and tobacco—including nicotine vape products—would be strictly prohibited at the businesses. The businesses would need to shut down by 2am.
Local governments are unsure whether they can prohibit these establishments. It is unclear whether local governments could ban the establishments. Local governments could also inspect lounges for compliance with local and state law.
The Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission would supervise the new businesses. It outlines the application process and basic penalties for lounges. For example, it states that any violation of the Act may lead to fines, license suspension, or even revocation. 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 will be on Oregon’s ballot for November 20, 2026. It would become effective on January 1, 2020 if it is approved.
Separately in Oregon this month, the state’s Court of Appeals criticized the state’s police force for using warrantless “technologically-enhanced surveillance” to go after an illegal marijuana operation.