Oklahoma Has Rejected a Referendum to Legalize Cannabis

What's the story?

• Recreational marijuana will remain illegal in Oklahoma after 63% of voters voted against the proposed measure to legalize cannabis in Tuesday's statewide referendum. 
• While voters approved cannabis for medicinal use five years ago, the move to legalize cannabis for recreational use was opposed by law enforcement, political leaders, school administrators, and faith leaders in this referendum.
• Oklahoma already has a robust medical marijuana industry. Nearly 10% of the adult population of Oklahoma has a medical license that enables them to access medical marijuana, and there are over 400 dispensaries in Oklahoma City alone.

What was the proposed measure?

• State Question 820 would have decriminalized cannabis use for those over the age of 21, reevaluated cannabis-related criminal convictions, and imposed a 15% excise tax on cannabis sales.
• Campaign finance reports show that roughly $5 million was spent on the measure, outspending opponents to cannabis legalization 20-to-1.
• The measure would have allowed for possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and allowed growers to cultivate up to six mature plants and six seedlings.
• Supporters argue that because cannabis is already being grown and consumed illegally, the measure will create a legal framework to reduce crime. Campaign Director of Yes on 820, a campaign in favor of recreational use, Michelle Tilley, said: 

“There are people who use marijuana recreationally, much like you would go and have a glass of wine or a beer. We think that there needs to be a safe, regulated product here in Oklahoma for those people to purchase without the threat of being arrested or put into jail and have their lives ruined.”

• Yes on 820 supporters said the state could gain $821 million in medical and recreational taxes over four years if the measure passed, with $434 million coming from recreational use alone.

Opposition to the proposal

• The Oklahoma state legislature passed a two-year moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses last year as the rate of new growers is straining rural infrastructure.
• Pat McFerron, an advisor to the No 820 campaign, said that the vote against the campaign:

"[S]ends a clear message that Oklahomans oppose the unfettered access to marijuana we have experienced under our so-called medical program."

• Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) tweeted:

“Oklahoma has seen marijuana use skyrocket, hurting our communities and families.” 

• Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt promised that bad actors would face the consequences and that Oklahoma would remain "a law and order state." Stitt declared that his disagreement with the proposal stems from the federal government's ban on recreational marijuana, saying “the feds need to make a decision about marijuana” before his state can legalize it. 

Marijuana legalization nationwide

• Similar referendums were held last year during the 2022 midterms, with two passing in Maryland and Missouri.
• Referendums to legalize recreational marijuana held in Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota were defeated during the midterms.
• Currently, 37 states have medical cannabis laws on the books, and 21 states allow adult recreational cannabis use. 

Do you support legalizing marijuana on the federal level?

—Emma Kansiz