Oklahoma voters say "no" to recreational marijuana question Voters resoundingly shot down State Question 820, which would have made recreational pot legal in the state. Law enforcement could not detain or arrest people for smoking or vaping in a public place. The state also offers cheaper land prices and building costs for new businesses. There are a lot of problems with it.. Now that SQ 820 failed, Thompson believes that expungement of records pertaining to marijuana use and possession should be a legislative priority. On February 2, 2023, the "Yes" campaign announced it had raised $350,000; the same day, the "No" campaign announced it would be headed by former governor of Oklahoma Frank Keating. Oklahoma State Question 820, the Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was on the ballot in Oklahoma as an initiated state statute on March 7, 2023. Weve had a great response wherever weve gone across the state, Tilley said. Data from the state Election Board show that almost 20,000 voters just voted on SQ 788 and no other gubernatorial race. What ID requirements are there for adult-use purchases of cannabis? 1:45. Robby Korth joined KOSU as its news director in November 2022. Polls are open today from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. For more information and to check your registration, visit the OK Voter Portal. OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomans gave a resounding "No" to legalizing recreational marijuana sales Tuesday, striking a blow against efforts to expand an industry beyond the state's current medical marijuana framework set up five years ago. 2023 Oklahoma State Question 820 - Wikipedia Supporters sought to effectively decriminalize marijuana use and. without breaking much of a sweat thanks in part to strength among rural voters. I feel like we already have recreational marijuana. Most Americans favor legalization in some form, and the criminal justice component is one reason why. In addition to marijuana legalization, the law creates a pathway for courts to resentence, reverse, modify and expunge certain prior marijuana-related conviction records. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. She also sees clients denied housing and experiencing other barriers due to previous marijuana charges. State Question 820 would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. Oklahoma voters on Tuesday rejected the legalization of recreational marijuana, following a late blitz of opposition from faith leaders, law enforcement and prosecutors. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond, both Republicans, said they will vote no on SQ 820. Why do you want to link that with a substance that creates so much havoc, especially with children, Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler said at a League of Women Voters forum in Tulsa in February. "We are obviously pleased with the results, Vote No campaign spokesman Pat McFerron said. The state legislature passed a two-year moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses last year. I'm proud of what we've done here because it has started a serious conversation about the injustices of the way that our policies are right now in the state.. Reporter Lionel Ramos contributed to this report. Paul Monies has been a reporter with Oklahoma Watch since 2017 and covers state agencies and public health. The law does not affect an employer's ability to restrict employee marijuana use. Weve done everything we can to get the vote out, it just comes down to who shows up.. They can also grow up to six mature marijuana plants and six marijuana seedlings at home, but only if they are out of public sight. Persons who occupy, own, or control private property may prohibit or regulate marijuana-related conduct. The measure would also have allowed individuals to expunge low-level cannabis convictions from their criminal records. [2-28-23]. Oklahoma should wait to legalize recreational marijuana until the federal government changes the law. The governor of South Dakota brought a successful legal challenge after voters in her state approved a state constitutional amendment in November 2020 to legalize recreational marijuana. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority is authorized to administer and enforce the law. Dispensaries dot the landscape, with more than 400 in Oklahoma City alone. With varying opposition and support, the result will likely be determined by which side turns out. It ended up alone following a delay in signature verification, which pushed the state question off the November ballot. Weve seen steady support the whole way, and I think its holding pretty well. But voters decided against going further. What are the punishments for underage age use or possession of cannabis under SQ 820? 820 would legalize the personal use of marijuana for adults, aged 21 and over, by adding a new act to Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes. We feel pretty good, Yes on 820 organizer Michelle Tilley said. Now that SQ 820 failed, Thompson believes that expungement of records pertaining to marijuana use and possession should be a legislative priority. Any excess would be split among public school grants for programs for at-risk students and after-school enrichment activities (30%); the states general revenue fund (30%); drug-treatment grants (20%); local governments (10%); and state courts (10%). Recreational marijuana is permitted for adult use in, , including Missouri, Colorado and New Mexico but still, . Proponents of the measure had been worried that low turnout could doom their efforts. We think this sends a clear message that Oklahomans oppose the unfettered access to marijuana we have experienced under our so-called medical program.. When a State Question qualifies to be on the ballot, the Secretary of State notifies the State Election Board of the State Question number, the ballot title, and the date of the election. The state question initially limits recreational business licenses to current medical marijuana business license holders in operation for at least a year before the effective date of SQ 820. Over 61% of voters rejected State Question 820, which was criticized by some law enforcement, religious leaders and public school administrators in the closing weeks of the campaign as a step too far. The Governor of Oklahoma chooses the date of the vote on the ballot initiative. Theyre excited about bringing this industry into the light with legalization and also generating tax revenue that can be used for schools and healthcare.. In the past few years, Oklahoma, long a solid bastion of conservatism, has quietly undergone a street-level transformation when it comes to marijuana. On Tuesday, Oklahoma voters rejected State Question 820, which would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state. I think the business community is really concerned about it because of the workforce issue, McFerron said. Another supporter, Claire Frushour, said she was sad and disappointed about the results. Its unclear what voters will do. It. Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day. Ngy 13 thng 11 nm 2020, Quc hi thng qua Lut s 67/2020/QH14 sa i, b sung mt s iu ca Lut X l vi phm hnh chnh, Lut c hiu lc k t ngy 01 thng 01 nm 2022. After Missouri legalized weed, will Oklahoma voters take the - KCUR Taylor Thompson, who works as a public defender in Oklahoma County, said she supported the state question not only for herself as a medicinal user, but for the clients she sees still arrested and incarcerated for marijuana possession and use. If the state question passes, there will still be penalties for violation of marijuana laws, but the penalties will be drastically reduced. Ngh quyt 68/NQ-CP 2014 gia nhp Bn ghi nh th im t chng nhn The law does not affect the rights of medical marijuana patients or licensees. Thats been one of our biggest challenges making sure people know that theres an election, said Ryan Kiesel, a spokesman for the Yes on 820 campaign. SQ 820 would allow individuals to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, 6 mature marijuana plants, and 6 seedling plants. The campaign: The Yes campaign has been organized for more than three years, having tried and failed to get legalization on the ballot before. Shall the proposal be approved? U.S. Oklahoma voters say "no" to recreational marijuana question Updated on: March 7, 2023 / 9:44 PM / CBS/AP Oklahoma voters rejected a state question Tuesday to allow for the recreational. There have been discussions among industry groups about asking the Legislature to change the agency's name if SQ 820 were to pass. Only the Legislature can make changes to the medical program. It would mean that on-the-job injuries would probably go up and it would make hiring more difficult. If enthusiasm matters in a low-turnout election, the organization could put SQ 820 over the top. The export of marijuana from Oklahoma is prohibited. Question 820 was rejected by over 60% of voters. Some opponents recognize the need to address the effects of older marijuana convictions but said legalizing marijuana isnt the answer. Rejected Initiative or Referendum Measures require 25%. Allowing adult-use recreational marijuana would help address a significant cause of racial imbalance in our states criminal justice system, in which a disproportionate number of Black Oklahomans have been charged with marijuana-related offenses when compared to white residents. That process, however, is a long one and takes well over a year. What does one ounce of marijuana look like? He has written about government, criminal justice and the role of money in politics for The Times since 2012. The proposal would establish a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana products, more than twice the current 7 percent tax rate on medical marijuana. In the end, he rolled to re-election without breaking much of a sweat thanks in part to strength among rural voters. Over 61% of voters rejected State Question 820, which was criticized by some law enforcement, religious leaders and public school administrators in the closing weeks of the campaign as a step too far. But people who worked for the campaign to legalize marijuana were defiant. Kevin Stitt and Attorney General Gentner Drummond both issued statements praising the outcome of the vote, reiterating their goals of cracking down on the black market and organized crime that sprang out of the state's medical marijuana industry. Ive got no problem with the use of marijuana, said Paul Boudreaux, 67, a lawyer whose face often appears in local television commercials for his firm and voted no on the measure. Recreational marijuana: SQ 820 signature collection starts today - NonDoc [2], The initiative was filed with Oklahoma Secretary of State on January 3, 2022 by Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws. She said she does not think recreational marijuana will fail in Oklahoma like it did not Arkansas. Law enforcement groups, some Christian denominations and medical and public health associations have argued against passage of the ballot initiative. The Associated Press. The legalization of adult-use recreational cannabis was expected to give a boost to the industry, which has been struggling with oversaturation of retail dispensaries and products they sell. National medical groups, including the American Medical Association, the American Society of Addiction Medicine and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have issued public policy statements in opposition to commercial, adult-use cannabis markets at the state level. But others are hoping Oklahomans say No to SQ 820, joining Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota as states that recently rejected recreational marijuana. I think what resonates with people is compassion for other human beings with the criminal justice reform, and I think the revenue piece is also something people have been excited about, she said. The proposal would establish a 15 percent excise tax on marijuana products, more than twice the current 7 percent tax rate on medical marijuana. CSGT cng pht hin trng hp iu khin phng tin s dng giy i ng theo mu mi . Legalize it! The group said it has spent $790,000 in 2023 on TV commercials, digital ads, canvassing materials and mailers, according to campaign reports filed Monday. Supporters want voters to approve an initiative that combines legal adult-use cannabis with criminal justice reforms to address past low-level convictions on marijuana-related offenses. Along with picking up new customers who don't have a medical marijuana card, the industry would have seen an influx of consumers from other states. They dont believe individuals should be put in jail for cannabis use because its an outdated practice that needs to end. The vote on Tuesday was a setback for marijuana legalization proponents in Oklahoma who had anticipated that laissez-faire economic attitudes and growing support among younger Republicans would provide a pathway for the state to join a diverse assortment of 21 states and the District of Columbia in adopting legal recreational marijuana, from Alaska and the Mountain West to the coasts and parts of the Midwest. Oklahoma Gov. Several business groups active in the medical marijuana industry, including the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association and local dispensary chains, have endorsed the effort, too. Vicente-Sederbergs Andrew Livingston said during a recent media event that the economic benefits would be huge. And beyond that, not everyone is happy to drive down a city street lined with dispensaries. Support Journalism. An economic impact report put out by supporters shows an estimated $87 million in additional annual tax revenue through 2028 if SQ 820 passes. However, the last state question election to be held on a non-general or primary election, held in September 2005, failed with only 18% turnout.[14]. Oklahoma recreational marijuana vote: State Question 820 results There have been discussions among industry groups about asking the Legislature to change the agency's name if SQ 820 were to pass. State Question 820 does more than just legalize marijuana. Criminal justice reform advocates, the local chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union and some labor unions voiced support. Oklahoma voters reject legalizing recreational marijuana Economic impact: An economic analysis from Vicente-Sederberg, a cannabis law and policy firm, on behalf of the Yes campaign found that SQ 820 could generate more than $821 million in tax revenue in its first five years. There have been discussions among industry groups about asking the Legislature to change the agencys name if SQ 820 were to pass. At House of Dank, a marijuana dispensary in the city, Austin Reed, a co-manager of the store, said that legalizing recreational marijuana could have doubled his business and brought in more tax revenue to the state. The proliferation of dispensaries the state counts 2,890 active licenses is evident on even the shortest drive through many municipalities. Nation:Here's where marijuana laws stand in each state. from the University of Oklahoma College of Law, where he wrote on topics such as the abolition of cash bail and the effectiveness of restorative justice. "No" to legalizing recreational marijuana sales, law enforcement, religious leaders and public school administrators, Here's where marijuana laws stand in each state. David is a member of the Oklahoma State Bar. Weve all heard stories about people who get in trouble for marijuana, which is their introduction to the criminal justice system which can cost people their livelihood. "The other thing to keep in mind is that this is not the end of the effort to end prohibition in the state of Oklahoma. Meanwhile, Protect our Kids No 820 has spent more than $200,000 so far. It would have until Sept. 3, which is 90 days after the effective date of the law on June 5. What would still be illegal if SQ820 passes? [7] State Question 820 failed on Tuesday night, almost five years after Oklahomans voted in favor of another state question that legalized medical marijuana. A new effort to legalize marijuana in Oklahoma for adult recreational use gets underway today, as organizers behind State Question 820 can begin gathering signatures that they . The question is the only item voters will consider, which likely affects turnout. Citizens have 10 days to file a protest with the Oklahoma Supreme Court. Weve known all along it will come down to reaching voters and getting them to vote.. He lives in Oklahoma City. Reefer Madness! What's everyone talking about? On August 30, the court ordered that it would adjudicate whether or not the 2022 ballot would include SQ 820, despite the Oklahoma Election Board's position that August 29 was that statutory deadline. on each sale, with surplus revenue going to student services, drug addiction treatment programs, courts, local government, and the state General Revenue Fund. in Political Science from the University of Oklahoma. At the Yes on 820 watch party in downtown Oklahoma City Tuesday night, she says this is an issue that Oklahoma voters of all kinds can agree on. The No campaign has used incidents like this to highlight a crime problem they say is associated with the marijuana industry. Voters clearly want to protect our children, crack down on organized crime, and improve the mental health of those in our state.". And beyond that, not everyone is happy to drive down a city street lined with dispensaries.