On Tuesday, voters in Oklahoma rejected the legalization of recreational marijuana due to resistance from religious leaders, law enforcement, and prosecutors.
In recent years, conservative states like Montana and Missouri have approved similar proposals to legalize the adult use of cannabis. Oklahoma would have become the 22nd state to do so.
Last year, the plan was rejected by several conservative states, including Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota.
Nearly every Republican senator in the state and Republican Governor Kevin Stitt opposed the proposal.
According to reports, Former Republican governor Frank Keating, a former FBI agent, and Terri White, a former Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services director, led the “no” campaign.
“We’re pleased the voters have spoken,” said Pat McFerron, a Republican political strategist. “We think this sends a clear signal that voters are not happy with the recreational nature of our medicinal system. We also think it shows voters recognize the criminal aspects, as well as the need for addressing mental health needs of the state.”
In 2018, voters approved medical marijuana by a margin of 14%. With more than 2,800 licensed dispensaries and roughly 10% of the state’s adult population having a medical license to buy and consume cannabis, Oklahoma has one of the most liberal medical marijuana programs in the country.
Last-minute campaign finance reports indicate the “no” side spent more than $4.9 million on Tuesday’s legalization question, compared to about $219,000 for the initiative.
There was only one statewide election item on the ballot last year, and early results showed strong opposition in rural areas to state Question 820.
“Oklahoma is a law and order state,” Stitt said after Tuesday’s vote. “I remain committed to protecting Oklahomans, and my administration will continue to hold bad actors accountable and crack down on illegal marijuana operations in our state.”
As part of the proposal, those over 21 could purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana and concentrates and products infused with marijuana.
In addition to the standard sales tax, recreational sales would have been subject to a 15% excise tax, which would have funded local municipalities, the court system, public schools, substance abuse treatment, and the state’s general revenue.
Despite Tuesday night’s vote, Michelle Tilley, campaign director for Yes on 820, says full legalization of marijuana will happen soon. Over 400,000 Oklahomans already use marijuana legally, and “many thousands more” use it illegally, she noted.
“A two-tiered system, where one group of Oklahomans is free to use this product, and the other is treated like criminals, does not make logical sense,” she said.
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