Oklahoma Has Another Chance To Legalize Marijuana, Who's Against The Billions It Could Generate?

Oklahomans will have another chance to decide on the legalization of recreational marijuana next month. Voices for and against are getting louder as the March 7 vote approaches.

After the state Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit seeking to put the measure on last fall's ballot, Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt declared a special election allowing Oklahomans to vote on the state's Question 820 in 2023.

Who's Against It?

Since then, many have spoken against the legalization, including Southern Baptists who expressed alarm at the "rapid advance and acceptance" of cannabis throughout the state following November's midterms.

Just last week, a group of community, business and law enforcement leaders expressed their opposition to the legalization initiative in papers filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission this earlier this week, reported Tulsa World.

The anti-marijuana organization - dubbed Protect Our Kids No 820 - is chaired by former Gov. Frank Keating.

"We simply must protect our children," Keating said, adding that voters are not aware of the implications of approving the ballot measure. This state question goes well beyond the ballot summary voters will see," he said.

"Just one example is that hidden inside this question is a clause that expressly lowers the legal threshold for child endangerment. It prohibits our court system from considering marijuana usage in child custody and visitation cases."

Other officials who opted to join the coalition, like Rodd Moesel, called the push to legalize marijuana a "reckless" move.

"The already out-of-control illegal marijuana grows are straining our state's utility providers and have brought organized crime and violence to rural areas," Moesel told News 4. "It is reckless to even consider expanding marijuana access."

Even Chip Paul, who was behind the effort to legalize medical marijuana, does not support SQ 820, saying it's poorly written.

Rec Cannabis Could Bring Millions In Public Funding, Supporters Say

Those behind the initiative - like the group Yes on 820 – say that legalization of recreational cannabis would bring millions of dollars in public funding, citing a new economic impact report by the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association.

The state is projected to garner over $4 billion in combined medical and recreational marijuana sales between 2024 and 2028. The analysis considered the data from Oklahoma's medical cannabis sales and recreational cannabis sales in states where marijuana is legalized. 

"That is significant," said Andrew Livingston with Vicente Sederberg, LLP, who was part of the team behind the report. "We're not just looking at medical tax revenue and medical patients but also adult-use consumers in the state as well as border consumers and tourists who will be taking advantage of a new, regulated adult-use supply stream."

What Would SQ 820 Do?

State Question 820, would legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana for adults 21 and older, as well as overturn cannabis convictions and enable those people affected to have their criminal records expunged.

It will also generate state revenue for essential priorities, including schools, health care, local governments and lawmakers to regulate the industry to protect public health and safety.

Photo: Courtesy of Ramdlon, ganjaspliffstoreuk by Pixabay