Faith Leaders Praise Failed Vote To Legalize Cannabis, GOP Sen Says There's Already Too Much Weed In Oklahoma

Oklahoma's marijuana legalization initiative, State Question 820, would have allowed adults 21 and older to buy cannabis from licensed retailers for the state to regulate and tax sales, but voters didn't seem to want that last week.

Over 61% of voters said no to the state question and not a single of the state's 77 counties approved the measure, many are now questioning the reasons for such a scenario.

State Sen. Jessica Garvin, (R) said the reason for the decision might be the fact that residents want to change the current medical marijuana program, reported Pauls Valley Daily Democrat.

"I think the overwhelming results are also a clear sign that Oklahomans are not happy with the current medical marijuana program and want it to be reformed," Garvin said. "That is why this session, I have introduced a number of bills that will close loopholes in illegal activity, further protect children and make the program a true medical marijuana program, not recreational marijuana lite, which is what it is now."

Another state senator, Greg McCortney (R) who serves as the Senate Majority Floor Leader said that Garvin's efforts would "close many loopholes" in the current medical marijuana program.

"She has worked with other members to present a series of bills to substantially improve patient safety and close many loopholes we have found in our current agency rules and state regulations," McCortney said. "I am proud to support her work as the session continues."

GOP Senator Says Oklahoma Has Too Many Cannabis Stores

US Sen. James Lankford (R), who urged residents to vote no on the measure, says he's glad the proposition failed because, according to him, Oklahoma has too many dispensaries. That is, over 2,000, writes 2 News Today.

"We have more marijuana operations in our state than California, Oregon, and Washington combined," Lankford said. "There is no direction that you can travel that you don't run into multiple marijuana facilities. What the pro-marijuana folks are saying is that's not enough, we want more."

A newspaper ad campaign sent a clear message against marijuana legalization: "Don't California Our Oklahoma."

A Victory For Oklahoma Christians?

Paul Abner, president of Oklahoma Faith Leaders said efforts helped persuade Oklahomans to vote against cannabis policy reform, adding that the faith community's role in the whole process was notable.

"The faith community, I believe, and of course, I've got an iron in the fire on this, but I believe the faith community was a major player in what happened here," Abner told Fox News Digital.

Lankford seems to have a similar view, as he believes that families of faith think twice about whether they will benefit from having more marijuana available.

"Are we better as a state if we have more families smoking marijuana? And they made the decision no," Lankford said.

He warned that legalizing recreational marijuana would result in increased crime rates statewide.

"More marijuana in our state doesn't make our families stronger, our workplaces more efficient, it doesn't make our streets safer," Lankford said. "I think Oklahomans spoke out on that pretty clearly."

Photo: Courtesy of BAZA Production and Ground Picture on Shutterstock