It. This measure creates a state law legalizing recreational use marijuana for persons 21 or older. KOSU is nonprofit and independent. It should be considered a strong message to the legislature that Oklahomans reject recreational marijuana, McFerron said. What are the personal-use protections under SQ 820? The state, which has prided itself on being welcoming to commerce, opened a similar door to the marijuana industry, offering business licenses at a fraction of the price in other states. Retailers could not keep personally-identifiable information about any adult-use purchase for more than 60 days without the consumers permission. How much money has been raised to support or oppose SQ 820? The reason I think its a bad idea is that its still illegal federally, Governor Stitt said at a news conference last month. But voters in Oklahoma, where nearly 10 percent of the population already has a medical marijuana card, appeared to have decided that the current level of access to the drug was enough. Backers of SQ 820 said marijuana enforcement efforts for decades have disproportionately affected Black and Latino communities, as well as rural white communities. This is halftime.". I also think there were people who voted for medical marijuana the last time around who feel like they may have been sold a bill of goods and that it hasnt been delivered in the way it was advertised.. Supporters sought to effectively decriminalizemarijuana use and would have allowed persons to seek expungement of their criminal record for most marijuana-related convictions. "No" to legalizing recreational marijuana sales, law enforcement, religious leaders and public school administrators, Here's where marijuana laws stand in each state. Oklahoma's State Question 820 is on ballots Tuesday, March 7 Robert Medley Fort Smith Times Record 0:05 0:57 Oklahomans will decide Tuesday whether to legalize recreational marijuana for adults age 21 and over when they vote on State Question 820 in a special election. Supporters of recreational marijuana can try again to get a state question on an Oklahoma ballot. on each sale, with surplus revenue going to student services, drug addiction treatment programs, courts, local government, and the state General Revenue Fund. 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. Comparatively, for SQ788 in 2018 nearly 77,000 voters cast early ballots. The No campaign has used incidents like this to highlight a crime problem they say is associated with the marijuana industry. "We are obviously pleased with the results, Vote No campaign spokesman Pat McFerron said. without breaking much of a sweat thanks in part to strength among rural voters. Yes: >90% 8090% 7080% 6070% 5060%. Though Missouri approved a state constitutional amendment to allow for recreational marijuana in November, voters in other conservative states, including Arkansas, North Dakota and South Dakota, rejected similar proposals. 907 S Detroit Ave, Suite 1005, Tulsa, OK 74120-4265
[8][9] On September 21, with two challenges concerning the ballot title still before the supreme court, it issued its decision not to compel the elections board to include the question on the November 2022 ballot. State Question 820s day of judgment is coming Tuesday, March 7, as voters across the state head to the polls to decide if Oklahoma will join the list of states that have legalized adult cannabis usage. When you look at the details like a fine for smoking in public is $25, which is kind of a joke. Between 50,000 and 100,000 Oklahomans have past marijuana convictions that affect their ability to rent or buy housing, apply for jobs or get student loans. State Question 820 would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. The state question also creates a licensing process for recreational marijuana dispensaries, commercial growers, processors, and transporters, and it directs the state to create rules for the preparation and labeling of marijuana products within 90 days after becoming law. (Medical marijuana has a 7% excise tax in addition to state and local sales taxes.). In June 2018, SQ 788 established the states medical marijuana program and passed, 56 to 43 percent, performing well in Oklahoma City and Tulsa while holding its own in some of the states more populous rural counties. Citing the need for more comprehensive research, the, American Medical Association opposes legalization. Its endorsed by groups like the ACLU of Oklahoma and Oklahomans for Criminal Justice Reform. Marijuana concentrate can take several forms, including liquid, chunks or goo. Grow operations, black market or legal, also tax rural water and power resources. SQ 820 also requires resentencing, reversing, modifying and. If passed, SQ 820 would end incarceration for low-level marijuana possession, and in some cases would expunge some records of past convictions for possession. Now that SQ 820 failed, Thompson believes that expungement of records pertaining to marijuana use and possession should be a legislative priority. less popular in many rural western and southern counties, campaigned against other efforts in the past, Yes on 820-Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, See stories by Paul Monies of Oklahoma Watch, Oklahomans in 12 storm-impacted counties to receive replacement SNAP benefits, Veto override fails, COVID funding audit, controversial education rules and more, Talihina veterans home closure on hold in Eastern Oklahoma, Oklahoma lobbyist spending rebounds from pandemic-era decline, New report commissioned by OMMA finds 'oversupply' of medical marijuana product, Oklahoma Legislature's funding scheme handcuffs Ethics Commission enforcement, The NCAA looks to weed out marijuana from its banned drug list. Landlords could not bar tenants from using or possessing marijuana, although they can prohibit smoking marijuana. Cannabis business leaders said theyll continue. Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. [, Media: Oklahoma voters to decide recreational marijuana question in March special election [, Media: Americans overwhelmingly say marijuana should be legal for medical or recreational use [, Media: How states have reshaped marijuana laws and whats next [, Context: Marijuanas racist history shows the need for comprehensive drug reform [, Context: Recreational marijuana: SQ 820 signature collections starts today [, Context: Why Recreational Marijuana Isnt On the November Ballot [, Context: Biden Administration Takes Steps on Marijuana Justice Reform: [, Context: Cannabis Legalization for Adult Use (commonly referred to as recreational use) [, Deadline: Postmarked or Delivered by February 10, 2023. 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. Resource: Oklahoma State Question 820, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (March 2023), Resource: State Question 820 official Oklahoma state documents [, Media: How Recreational Is Oklahomas Medical Marijuana Market? In the Oklahoma City neighborhood of Bricktown, which has many restaurants and hotels, dispensaries were already setting up before the election in anticipation of possible marijuana tourism from Texas or other neighboring states, should the ballot measure have passed. 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 export of marijuana from Oklahoma is prohibited. OKLAHOMA CITY A coalition of community, business and law enforcement leaders filed papers with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission this week to oppose State Question 820, the effort to legalize. 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. Its about what were going to do about it. He pointed to those Oklahomans without medical marijuana cards who have been arrested for possession of the drug, pointing to the need to more fully legalize it. With varying opposition and support, the result will likely be determined by which side turns out. Blake Cantrell, owner of the Peak Dispensary in Oklahoma City, had this advice for his fellow operators. Dozens of bills affecting that program are up for consideration in this years session. Supporters sought to effectively decriminalize marijuana use and. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana under State Question 788. , and the criminal justice component is one reason why. 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. Quyt nh 820/Q-BGDT 2019 ca B Gio dc v o to v vic ban hnh mu Chng ch ting Vit theo Khung nng lc ting Vit dng cho ngi nc ngoi. Essentially, excise taxes would be double those on medical marijuana products. "We will be able to produce more products and utilize our facilities to their limit and to what they were designed to do. Gov. . James Smith, president of the Oklahoma Association of Chiefs of Police, addressed the No on 820 rally in Oklahoma City on Monday. Vicente-Sederbergs Andrew Livingston said during a recent media event that the economic benefits would be huge. Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, a group that supports the measure, delivered more than 164,000 signatures to the secretary of states office at the Oklahoma State Capitol in July 2022. approved a state constitutional amendment, a two-year moratorium on new medical marijuana business licenses, is already straining rural infrastructure, seeking to limit the ability of voters to directly decide such questions, would place new restrictions on ballot initiatives. For a segment of voters, it may be too much too soon. But people who worked for the campaign to legalize marijuana were defiant. He said he had supported medical marijuana and called Tuesdays vote a difficult choice.. They dont believe individuals should be put in jail for cannabis use because its an outdated practice that needs to end. While the Yes on 820 campaign feels confident, they're planning to work extra hard the next few . A local government may prohibit or restrict recreational marijuana use on the property of the local government and regulate the time, place, and manner of the operation of marijuana businesses within its boundaries. "Stick it out, he said. Tilley said revenue and criminal justice reform are driving enthusiasm among Yes voters. Referendums and Initiatives require the least number of signatures at 5% and 8% respectively. The Yes campaign has been organized for more than three years, having tried and failed to get legalization on the ballot before. Then you have issues with child safety. Because while this doesn't help us directly, as it would have if it were to pass, it also doesn't directly hurt us.". How long would OMMA have to put rules and regulations from SQ 820 into effect? CSGT cng pht hin trng hp iu khin phng tin s dng giy i ng theo mu mi . Public school programs to address substance abuse and improve student retention. We feel pretty good, Yes on 820 organizer Michelle Tilley said. Last-minute arguments on whether to approve recreational marijuana in Oklahoma were heard on the eve of Tuesday's vote on State Question 820. Oklahoma should wait to legalize recreational marijuana until the federal government changes the law. Recent finance campaign reports show Yes on 820 - Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws has spent about $4 million, mostly towards getting the initiative through the petition process and to a statewide ballot. With Stitt and 39 Republican senators opposing SQ 820, its possible the same dynamic plays out on March 7. Ahead of the election, pro-SQ 820 campaign organizers are confident they can assemble the same coalition that propelled SQ 788 to victory five years ago. Support Journalism. For the first two years, marijuana business licenses are available only to existing licensees in operation one year or more. We already have too many marijuana problems right now, Cherrie Stunkard, 65, said, pointing to the safety impact of marijuana on drivers. Opponents included the governor, Kevin Stitt, along with dozens of Republican state lawmakers and some law enforcement and agricultural associations. ", Yes on 820 Campaign Director Michelle Tilley said, I challenge our legislature, I challenge our governor, this in your hands now., "This wasn't about legalizing marijuana. The law would set the recreational cannabis tax rate at 15% and allow for some marijuana drug offenders to have their convictions reversed and records expunged.[3]. Its taken us a while to get our arms around that.. SQ 820 also requires resentencing, reversing, modifying and expunging past marijuana-related criminal records and convictions. All 77 counties voted against the state question. There has been a dearth of polling. Frank Keating to lead campaign against recreational marijuana", "Voter Turnout a Question Mark Leading Up to Recreational Marijuana Vote", "Oklahoma GOP Leaders Urge Voters To Reject Marijuana Legalization Measure On Ballot Next Week", "39 of Oklahoma's 48 State Senators urge NO Vote on SQ 820", "Oklahoma lawmakers voice opinions on State Question 820", "What to know about SQ 820 and legalizing recreational marijuana in Oklahoma", "Debate: Stitt, Hofmeister tussle over state performance, McGirt and abortion", "To legalize or not to legalize? 820 informs. If passed, SQ 820 would legalize cannabis use for adults 21 and up and expunge some past marijuana convictions. That is State Question 820", "How Oklahoma's cannabis business could change if recreational weed is legalized", "Editorial: Yes on SQ 820 will bring more guardrails, oversight to the industry", "A commonsense proposal": Wikinews interviews Michelle Tilley, Campaign Director for Yes on 820, Oklahoma State Question 820, Marijuana Legalization Initiative (2022), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2023_Oklahoma_State_Question_820&oldid=1161006033, Short description is different from Wikidata, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 4.0, This page was last edited on 20 June 2023, at 01:24. would legalize adult-use recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. However, recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Oklahoma. Low voter turnout could, in theory, favor the No campaign. Since the state started its medical program, about 400,000 people have held medical patient licenses, which is roughly 10 percent of the states overall population. Marijuana is here. 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 . would legalize cannabis use for adults 21 and up and expunge some past marijuana convictions. The state has embraced medical marijuana, with some 400 dispensaries in Oklahoma City alone. However, a local government may not limit the number of, or completely prohibit, such businesses. 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. It would also generate hundreds of millions in added tax benefits over its first five years, according to those who favor the citizen-petition proposal. The potential for abuse of marijuana is low compared to alcohol, opioids, and many other prescription drugs. State Question 820's day of judgment is coming Tuesday, March 7, as voters across the state head to the polls to decide if Oklahoma will join the list of states that have legalized adult. Theyre excited about bringing this industry into the light with legalization and also generating tax revenue that can be used for schools and healthcare.. The Wall Street Journal called Oklahoma one of the biggest black-market states in the country. Black men in Oklahoma are nearly five times as likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, and nearly 10 times as likely to be arrested for marijuana sales and manufacturing, as white men. Would the passage of SQ 820 affect the existing medical marijuana program approved by voters in June 2018? Excise tax revenues will fund implementation of the law, with any surplus revenues going to public school programs to address substance abuse and improve student retention (30%), the General Revenue und (30%), drug addiction treatment programs (20%), courts (10%), and local governments (10%). Recreational marijuana is permitted for adult use in, , including Missouri, Colorado and New Mexico but still, . What's everyone talking about? Robby Korth joined KOSU as its news director in November 2022. rights, allows personal use of marijuana, and sets limits on the legal use of. Oklahomans have voted against a state question that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the Sooner State, according to the Associated Press. [2], The initiative was filed with Oklahoma Secretary of State on January 3, 2022 by Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws. 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. signers that it seeks to legalize, regulate, and tax adult-use marijuana. However, recreational use of marijuana remains illegal in Oklahoma. Michelle Tilley was the campaign manager for State Question 820. Law enforcement groups, some Christian denominations and medical and public health associations have argued against passage of the ballot initiative. Crime and rural tumult: In December, four people were murdered at a marijuana grow operation in Kingfisher County. It really expands access, which will make it more publicly prevalent, McFerron said. Opponents said full legalization sends the wrong message to children and the state hasnt done enough to deal with unintended consequences from the passage of medical marijuana in 2018. Another supporter, Claire Frushour, said she was sad and disappointed about the results. Weve seen steady support the whole way, and I think its holding pretty well. Campaign director Ryan Kiesel gives a concession speech at the vote Yes on State Question 820 watch party at the Tower Theatre in Oklahoma City, on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. "We have always understood that even where Congress has the authority under the Constitution to pass laws requiring or prohibiting certain acts, it lacks the power to directly compel . "We are obviously pleased with the results," said Pat McFerron, a campaign advisor for the No 820 campaign. It also prohibits prosecutors from revoking bail, parole, or probation because of marijuana use. Opponents and supporters of what was known as State Question 820 massed along mostly familiar lines. But there are also concerns about the industry in rural Oklahoma, where voters firmly rejected it. Now that SQ 820 failed, Thompson believes that expungement of records pertaining to marijuana use and possession should be a legislative priority. Legalize it! Thanh tra giao thng yu cu hn 100 xe lung xanh quay u. An estimated 60,000 Oklahomans have a current marijuana-related criminal record, and laws have been disproportionately enforced againstOklahomans of color. Criminal justice reform: If passed, SQ 820 would end incarceration for low-level marijuana possession, and in some cases would expunge some records of past convictions for possession. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority became a standalone agency Nov. 1 and would be responsible for regulating businesses operating in the recreational market. We rely on readers like you to support the local, national, and international coverage on this website. Oklahoma State Question 820 would change Oklahoma statutes to legalize recreational cannabis in the state for anyone over 21 years of age. But will it pass? National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, List of 2023 United States cannabis reform proposals, "Here's the reason recreational marijuana isn't on the November ballot", "Oklahoma Election Results March 07, 2023", "Outline of the Oklahoma Initiative and Referendum Petition Process", "Second petition filed to legalize recreational cannabis in Oklahoma", "Group To Present Signatures To Secretary Of State To Get Recreational Marijuana State Question On November Ballot", "SQ-820 To Be On Ballot After Getting Over 100,000 Signatures", "SQ 820 group asks state Supreme Court to put marijuana vote on November ballot", "Oklahoma Supreme Court opts to temporarily not rule on request to put SQ 820 on ballot", "Oklahoma Supreme Court agrees to consider marijuana question", "Oklahomans won't vote on recreational marijuana this November", "Oklahoma recreational cannabis question won't make November ballot", "Oklahoma governor sets March election for marijuana question", "Former Oklahoma Gov. 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]. Xcaret Nuez covers agriculture and rural communities for KOSU as a corps member with Report for America. @jdavidgoodman, A version of this article appears in print on, With a Marijuana Shop on Every Corner, Oklahoma Rejects Full Legalization, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/07/us/oklahoma-marijuana-ballot.html. And beyond that, not everyone is happy to drive down a city street lined with dispensaries. [5], A petition was filed with the Oklahoma Supreme Court in August, after certification, to ensure the measure appears on the November 2022 ballot despite various administrative deadlines that may have expired while the initiative petition signatures were being counted. They said the unemployment rate for Oklahomans who have past convictions is five times the state average.