https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/09/23/heres-the-reason-recreational-marijuana-isnt-on-the-november-ballot/

I can't put what I'm thinking about this state and its politicians here because it would get deleted, but thought this article was enlightening, and also disgusting.

https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/09/23/heres-the-reason-recreational-marijuana-isnt-on-the-november-ballot/

I can't put what I'm thinking about this state and its politicians here because it would get deleted, but thought this article was enlightening, and also disgusting.

Stitt said in the February speech. “The state question was misleading, and it has tied our hands as we regulate the industry.” Stitt's statement is ridiculously wrong. This is the because the state legislature has the power to gut 788 or just throw the whole thing out, but thankfully didn't. The same thing can happen to 820 if passed.

Getting 820 passed would be a good way to make up for lost revenue, if the sales tax on groceries and restaurant meals could ever get abolished. But I don't recall it being specified where tax revenue from it would go to.

https://journalrecord.com/2022/09/28/policy-matters-state-question-process-deserves-better/

El Prez pushing decriminalization. Will this state let the marijuana possessers out of prison?

Looks like some federal action:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/10/06/inside-biden-marijuana-pardon/8198647001/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

There’s probably some merit in significantly cutting the sentences, but i do wonder if we’d overwhelm whatever parol system we have with a blanket pardon.

There’s probably some merit in significantly cutting the sentences, but i do wonder if we’d overwhelm whatever parol system we have with a blanket pardon.

People that are awarded a pardon do not report to parole.

March 7th. 2023. Special election for SQ820.

https://www.sos.ok.gov/documents/filelog/95078.pdf

I do hope people get out and vote in favor of this. Special elections are not always highly publicized or attended. The tax revenue from this would help the state so much! I am very glad it didn't wait til 2024, though.

I do hope people get out and vote in favor of this. Special elections are not always highly publicized or attended. The tax revenue from this would help the state so much! I am very glad it didn't wait til 2024, though.
Why?

Why?

Because why wait? The sooner we can possibly get it fully legal, the better.

Because why wait? The sooner we can possibly get it fully legal, the better.

And because it should've actually been on the Nov 8 ballot, but due to reasons which can be read about elsewhere.....

^^^ we really need a massive overhaul of the powers the governor and state has. As soon as a State question is approved to be put on the ballot by the people, it should be put on the first possible ballot.

IIRC, some states don’t even have citizen petition lead ballot initiatives which is insane to me. Or they make it really hard. Oklahoma is lucky in this regard so count your blessings I guess.

^^^ we really need a massive overhaul of the powers the governor and state has. As soon as a State question is approved to be put on the ballot by the people, it should be put on the first possible ballot.

IIRC, some states don’t even have citizen petition lead ballot initiatives which is insane to me. Or they make it really hard. Oklahoma is lucky in this regard so count your blessings I guess.

While you can at least. Aren’t Stitt and his sycophants working on changing this?

While you can at least. Aren’t Stitt and his sycophants working on changing this?
I think they’re tried but no success.

Because why wait? The sooner we can possibly get it fully legal, the better.

If the state can ever get rid of the sales tax on food, sales tax on rec cannabis would help make up for lost revenue. Gov. Stitt wants to get rid of tax on food, so maybe he's thinking the same thing and doesn't want to put it off until 2024.

Giving it a special election keeps it from influencing the primary and general elections. The March 7th date also gives the legislature time to change what it doesn't like in it, if it passes.

If the state can ever get rid of the sales tax on food, sales tax on rec cannabis would help make up for lost revenue. Gov. Stitt wants to get rid of tax on food, so maybe he's thinking the same thing and doesn't want to put it off until 2024.

Giving it a special election keeps it from influencing the primary and general elections. The March 7th date also gives the legislature time to change what it doesn't like in it, if it passes.
By ensuring a low turnout or (not influencing primary or general election) also gives this measure a much larger chance of failure. This was a partisan decision. As prescribed by law it should’ve been on this upcoming ballot but due to croneysim the petitions were intentionally delayed for political reasons. This will ensure lowest possible turnout.

I think they’re tried but no success.

They're going to keep trying to kill citizen-led petitions/SQs (or at least make it insufferably hard to get one on the ballot) as long as they're in power, and if they can't do that, then they'll try to kill/wound the successful ones (they've already done or tried to do this at least twice).

By ensuring a low turnout or (not influencing primary or general election) also gives this measure a much larger chance of failure. This was a partisan decision. As prescribed by law it should’ve been on this upcoming ballot but due to croneysim the petitions were intentionally delayed for political reasons. This will ensure lowest possible turnout.
Exactly.

It's interesting seeing the different results between Arkansas and Missouri, from a geographic comparability viewpoint, and also the results in both Dakotas where recreational also failed. I think there's a lot of assumption that recreational will pass easily here, but I think the path from medical to recreational isn't automatic nor should it be assumed to be inevitable in the near term. A lot of voters who support medical may not make the leap to recreational.

It's interesting seeing the different results between Arkansas and Missouri, from a geographic comparability viewpoint, and also the results in both Dakotas where recreational also failed. I think there's a lot of assumption that recreational will pass easily here, but I think the path from medical to recreational isn't automatic nor should it be assumed to be inevitable in the near term. A lot of voters who support medical may not make the leap to recreational.I listened to a pretty long analysis of this on NPR yesterday afternoon. The analyst said she believes Missouri passed because the proposal was clearly written and included what the tax revenues would be used for. One for instance is a new substance abuse program. Apparently the other states weren't written as well. Hopefully Oklahoma's proposal writers learn from this.

I listened to a pretty long analysis of this on NPR yesterday afternoon. The analyst said she believes Missouri passed because the proposal was clearly written and included what the tax revenues would be used for. One for instance is a new substance abuse program. Apparently the other states weren't written as well. Hopefully Oklahoma's proposal writers learn from this.

If it passes in March, they won't need to learn, but yeah, if it fails they should try something "proven" for a re-do.

If it passes in March, they won't need to learn, but yeah, if it fails they should try something "proven" for a re-do.Better if they learned now and increase the chances of it passing in March.

Better if they learned now and increase the chances of it passing in March.

If they make changes, it will likely have to go through the signature process again. It is what it is now.

If they make changes, it will likely have to go through the signature process again. It is what it is now.

Yep, all we can do is wait, no changes nowhere... I'm sure the people behind it are smart enough to read up on what worked and what didn't this time in the various states, I hope, maybe, possibly, just in case.

Yep, all we can do is wait, no changes nowhere... I'm sure the people behind it are smart enough to read up on what worked and what didn't this time in the various states, I hope, maybe, possibly, just in case.
After realizing it's already written I read the proposal. It actually has a lot of the same points as far as how revenue will be spent and the addition of substance abuse programs that probably got the Missouri question passed.

Nice update on drug reform laws here, nationally, and worldwide: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/these-states-almost-legalized-cannabis-in-2022-newsletter-december-1-2022/

Does anyone wonder about China buying large stretches of farm land in Oklahoma. I think because of Oklahoma's poorly written marijuana laws, the door is open to illegal grow operations. If you think crooks aren't illegally growing and shipping marijuana out of Oklahoma then you might be mistaken. What were Chinese nationals doing in Kingfisher that got them murdered? https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/22/us/oklahoma-kingfisher-county-marijuana-deaths/index.html

I MIGHT vote for recreational marijuana if there were better controls on the whole business. Oklahoma shouldn't even consider legalizing marijuana for recreational use until the Feds legalize it. I don't think a grow operation in Oklahoma can deposit funds into a Federally insured bank, so what do they do with all of that cash? Launder it and ship it out of State and Country? Too much room for my favorite words...."hanky panky."

China can't really own land in Oklahoma, but they have used shell purchasers such as Matt Stacey (allegedly). The OMMA keeps talking a big game about implementing a seed-to-sale system. And whatever the system, there are going to be people who try to skirt regulations. If the State would get serious about taxing it at a higher rate to implement a properly funded regulatory system, maybe join them with ABLE, it coudl work.

That folks want to cultivate in Oklahoma and illegally export to states who either fail to make compacts with Oklahoma or want to stay stuck in the dark ages doesn't really bother me.

I'd rather the feds never legalize it as that is exactly what keeps marijuana a business something which can produce solid returns for Oklahomans. If the feds legalize, you can count on companies like Monsanto, Tyson, etc., getting in on the action and destroying every last mom and pop operation in the State. You'll still have illegal cultivatieon no matter what happens, but if the feds legalize, the only folks making money will be billionaires and outlaws.

Midtowner.....you might be right. I could see the big tobacco companies moving in and taking over. I do think the outlaws, cartels, etc., have already moved in. My LE buddies say it's like the wild, wild west here in Oklahoma. The medical marijuana bill passing, I think, was a surprise to most LE officials and the State, thus the lack of proper controls weren't in place, and we have these problems. I haven't read the proposal, but I sure hope there are some clear laws involved. We'll see.,

Agree with LE (Law Enforcement) and State leadership being surprised when MMJ passed. They should not have been. In Oklahoma, leadership in LE is overwhelmingly white, male, evangelical Christian over age 50. This makes it very difficult for LE to operate from a perspective beyond abstention and criminalization. LE experiences gains in power and revenue via criminalization. That is not an insult, rather it is a common sense observation.

After the MMJ State Question passed (SQ 788) State leadership decided to propose some pretty extensive regulation. State courts ruled that was an overreach (or something like that). After that, State leadership decided to make no new regulation for 2 years. This let the industry gain its footing and let leadership understand what the industry is gonna be like in Oklahoma. It also allowed LE to describe it as the wild, wild west.

Hopefully, those of us who have been in Oklahoma State long enough will convince State leadership of 2 things.

1. We have gone from the "liquor by the wink" era of 1960s-80s to "reefer by the wink".

2. Drug and alcohol liberalization State Questions always pass.

But as I recall state leadership meaning the governor and state legislature decided after considering holding a special session over it, that they wanted nothing to do with implementing SQ788. They knew next to nothing about marijuana and were still in shock that some of their Republican incumbents lost in the June primary. Why take a chance with voters from fooling around with the med. pot issue before the Nov. elections? So, they decided to just let the state health dept. worry about it as SQ788 instructed while respecting the will of the voters. So, the state health dept. got in trouble along with scandal.

As I further recall Soonerpoll, had Oklahomans approving of legalized medical marijuana as far back as 2014.

Anyway, the story of how SQ788 came about was quite legendary for Oklahoma politics, and I think it is worthy of a book written based on it as well as a movie. It's all about it coming strictly from the grass roots level with no help from out of state. It could begin in 2010 with Medical Marijuana Day held at the State Capitol put on by the then Stillwater based Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma. At least several good scenes could from come from that, such as a young gentleman in a wheelchair being told by a Democrat legislator that he was all for legalizing medical marijuana but there was nothing he could do since Republicans controlled the state. Another scene could be about a woman in the office of a leading Republican legislator begging and pleading with him to legalize medical marijuana so she could use it to treat her Hepatitis C. But with Mark Woodward from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs backing that Republican while seated at his side, they both expressed their disapproval.

From 2010, move on to 2014 with Oklahomans For Health filing the very first petition to legalize medical marijuana. It failed to get enough signatures. In 2015, Green the Vote filed a similar petition. It, too, failed. In early 2016, from still having no major funding, Oklahomans For Health decided to go for a medical marijuana petition requiring considerably fewer signatures, the state statute route. In January 2016, it held its first public meeting in OKC to discuss what would be on its new petition later to become SQ788. Reps from Green the Vote attended. But Green the Vote determined it could not be allied with Oklahomans For Health because its petition would not include legalizing hemp and was not for a state constitutional amendment. Several months later and after 3 more public meetings held in Tulsa, Stillwater and Norman, Oklahomans For Health submitted its petition for SQ788 to the state. It was approved. Most of its drama over getting signatures centered in OKC at the intersection of NW Expressway and Hefner Park entrance where highly determined activists set up a 24 hr. a day tent. They named it Fort Cannabis. It was occasionally watched by cops. The controversy OKC had with it was settled by signature gatherers agreeing to only having a tent set up for signatures outside of Hefner Park curfew hours. The story ends with petition for SQ788 barely getting enough signatures.

Former Democrat candidate for state governor Joe Dorman deserves a lot of credit for helping out for being there gathering signatures from the very first day of the petition for SQ 788 and finally onward to the last day to assist with accounting for final signatures submitted at a tent outside the state capitol. Many others deserve credit, too, for making SQ788 possible. I, myself, got 933 signatures coming mostly from Stillwater with 122 of them coming from 39th St. during Gay Pride, OKC. I signed for SQ 788 at a booth there where they ridiculed me for holding such a small sign to get signatures and handed me a much bigger sign. It later proved highly effective for getting more signatures on Main St. in Stillwater and from the strip at night on weekends.

Oh, no, on KFOR's Flashpoint both Mike Turpin and Todd Lamb indicated that they don't support passage of SQ 820 to legalize rec marijuana. Lamb gave the same old reasons for being against it. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and we already have the same as legal rec. I sense the same people who voted yes for SQ788 better come out in same big numbers to vote yes on SQ788.

Me too! Get out there 788 people!

Oh, no, on KFOR's Flashpoint both Mike Turpin and Todd Lamb indicated that they don't support passage of SQ 820 to legalize rec marijuana. Lamb gave the same old reasons for being against it. Marijuana is a gateway drug, and we already have the same as legal rec. I sense the same people who voted yes for SQ788 better come out in same big numbers to vote yes on SQ788.

Two tools. Mothers milk is a gateway also.

1. We have gone from the "liquor by the wink" era of 1960s-80s to "reefer by the wink".

2. Drug and alcohol liberalization State Questions always pass.

I definitely think Oklahoma's SQ820 will be a picture of what the near future of recreational cannabis legalization in Southeastern United States looks like. I have to say that myself ten years ago would have been extremely surprised to see Oklahoma at the forefront of this given at the time, it had the strictest anti-cannabis laws in the country.

Also, was 2016 really the first time abolishing 3.2 beer was on the ballot or had it been voted on and failed earlier in the state's history?

I definitely think Oklahoma's SQ820 will be a picture of what the near future of recreational cannabis legalization in Southeastern United States looks like. I have to say that myself ten years ago would have been extremely surprised to see Oklahoma at the forefront of this given at the time, it had the strictest anti-cannabis laws in the country.

Also, was 2016 really the first time abolishing 3.2 beer was on the ballot or had it been voted on and failed earlier in the state's history?

Long time no see here. Are you still in OKC or did you move back to Charlotte?

Long time no see here. Are you still in OKC or did you move back to Charlotte?

Another blast from the past! I thought he had moved to Phoenix/Scottsdale?

I definitely think Oklahoma's SQ820 will be a picture of what the near future of recreational cannabis legalization in Southeastern United States looks like. I have to say that myself ten years ago would have been extremely surprised to see Oklahoma at the forefront of this given at the time, it had the strictest anti-cannabis laws in the country.

Also, was 2016 really the first time abolishing 3.2 beer was on the ballot or had it been voted on and failed earlier in the state's history?

I thought legalizing med marijuana had a good chance of passing as far back as the first petition for it in 2014. It just needed given a chance at the polls. After all, in 2013, Soonerpoll had already indicated that Oklahomans were ready to consider marijuana for medicinal purposes and decriminalization. The poll had support for medical marijuana at 71% and support for decriminalization at 57%. The poll did not ask about legalization.

I think part of the yes vote for SQ788 was pushback from Oklahoma having such very harsh anti-marijuana laws in the country as you mentioned.

I think 2016 was the first time a ballot on alcohol reform did away with 3.2% beer as well as the first time Oklahoma voted for major alcohol reform since 1984 when it legalized liquor by the drink. Amazing it took so long, 32 years, to go on further from there. Oklahoma's slowness with accepting alcohol started from the very beginning when it entered the union in 1907. Under the Oklahoma Enabling Act of 1906, among one of the requirements for it to enter the union was that it had to be a dry state for 21 years after statehood.

Hey does anyone know when the absentee ballots for the vote on recreational Marijuana will be sent to people who registered to receive absentee ballots.

Oklahoma 2023 ballot measures


State Question 820, a marijuana legalization initiative


March 7 - Special Elections and Propositions Only


Last day to register to vote: February 10
Deadline to request absentee ballot: 5 PM, February 20
Early Voting: Thursday, March 2, 8 AM - 6 PM
Friday, March 3, 8 AM - 6 PM
Election Day Voting: Tuesday, March 7, 7 AM - 7 PM

HIGHLIGHTS



Proponents of State Question 820, a marijuana legalization initiative that initially targeted the 2022 ballot, submitted a sufficient number of signatures to qualify the measure for the ballot. Due to legal challenges and statutory deadlines for ballot inclusion, the measure could not be placed on the 2022 ballot and was set to be voted on at a later election date. Governor Kevin Stitt (R) ordered the measure on the March 7, 2023, ballot.

One reason to vote YES on SQ 820 is that 30% of the tax revenue from it is guaranteed to go into the state general fund. It will help make up for lost revenue, if state legislators finally decide to eliminate the sales tax on food.

Where else will tax revenue from SQ 820 go?

30% to grants for public school programs to support student retention and performance, after-school and enrichment programs, and substance abuse prevention programs;
20% to grants for government agencies and not-for-profit organizations to fund drug addiction treatment and overdose prevention programs;
10% to the state judicial revolving fund; and
10% to the municipalities or counties where the marijuana was sold.

The state legislature will have the right, though, to modify those amounts.

Let's say 820 passes, where Oklahoma has both Recreational and Medicinal Marijuana.


Could existing dispensaries be licensed to sell both . . .

Here's some interesting information from the portal:

Oklahoma Cannabis Information Portal: https://oklahomastatecannabis.org/

Let's say 820 passes, where Oklahoma has both Recreational and Medicinal Marijuana.


Could existing dispensaries be licensed to sell both . . .

Here's some interesting information from the portal:

Oklahoma Cannabis Information Portal: https://oklahomastatecannabis.org/

I don't see what the use of keeping Medical around after recreational would be. If anyone can walk in and purchase why bother with cards and such.

I don't see what the use of keeping Medical around after recreational would be. If anyone can walk in and purchase why bother with cards and such.

In states with both, if you have a card it's cheaper. I think most of that has to do with the taxes applied.

I think traditionally one difference is card holders can purchase higher concentrated products.

But again, since getting a card takes basically zero effort other than a fee, there is essentially no difference.

I think traditionally one difference is card holders can purchase higher concentrated products.

But again, since getting a card takes basically zero effort other than a fee, there is essentially no difference.

Ah yes I knew there was something else besides the price difference, you can also get higher concentrate as well as higher limits on how much you can carry and have at your house, grow greater number of plants.

I think traditionally one difference is card holders can purchase higher concentrated products.

But again, since getting a card takes basically zero effort other than a fee, there is essentially no difference.Except for those of us that can't get a card.

A pro ad for SQ820. I wonder if they will have enough money to run it on TV.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AxuD-keOnk&ab_channel=YesOn820%7CVoteMarch7

I don't feel strongly one way or the other on the upcoming question, but isn't it hard to have faith that things will be adequately regulated? Given how the hundreds (thousands?) of illicit grow facilities have been handled thus far? At the same time, it seems pretty much anyone can get a card now (I know one person who got his card by 'visiting' a physician online, and the whole process cost $25 or thereabouts, I think medicare paid part of the cost).
Really debating whether to vote or not...

I don't feel strongly one way or the other on the upcoming question, but isn't it hard to have faith that things will be adequately regulated? Given how the hundreds (thousands?) of illicit grow facilities have been handled thus far? At the same time, it seems pretty much anyone can get a card now (I know one person who got his card by 'visiting' a physician online, and the whole process cost $25 or thereabouts, I think medicare paid part of the cost).
Really debating whether to vote or not...

The hardest part for me is believing the tax revenue will be spent the way they're saying it will. I'm generally in favor of legalizing marijuana, I have not read the bill to see if the revenue is required to be spent one way or if it's more of a suggestion.

State Question 820, yes I'm for it since we've already passed medicinal marijuana. Find a way to integrate the two for the benefit
of more state tax revenue.

Nice promotional YouTube message Bunty, thanks for posting.

The hardest part for me is believing the tax revenue will be spent the way they're saying it will. I'm generally in favor of legalizing marijuana, I have not read the bill to see if the revenue is required to be spent one way or if it's more of a suggestion.

"I thought the lottery was supposed to fix education funding."
--says everyone still... for some reason.

Of course the money won't be spent how the ad says it will be. If there is revenue generated, you can count on our politicians to cut general funding to those areas and cut taxes where they can.

How ridiculous this is. A senate bill has been passed out of committee that limits THC level. Interesting and ironic how Oklahoma Republicans don't ever worry about level of alcohol content sold in liquor stores. So, I am free to go in a liquor store and buy Everclear even though if I'm dumb enough to drink too much of it, I can end up very sick in a hospital and may die. Everclear is 95% alcohol. It's better suited as cleaning fluid or a disinfectant and is banned in around 11 states. I never heard of anybody being poisoned to death, due to the THC level being too high.

SB440: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20FLR/SFLR/SB440%20SFLR.PDF

"I thought the lottery was supposed to fix education funding."
--says everyone still... for some reason.

Of course the money won't be spent how the ad says it will be. If there is revenue generated, you can count on our politicians to cut general funding to those areas and cut taxes where they can.

Yes, that's my assumption, as well. It's not the main selling point for me voting in favor, anyway. I just think it's interesting the general public still falls for those lines after exactly none of the past initiatives (horse racing, gambling, lottery) have been the financial boost to education we've been led to believe they'd be.

How ridiculous this is. A senate bill has been passed out of committee that limits THC level. Interesting and ironic how Oklahoma Republicans don't ever worry about level of alcohol content sold in liquor stores. So, I am free to go in a liquor store and buy Everclear even though if I'm dumb enough to drink too much of it, I can end up very sick in a hospital and may die. Everclear is 95% alcohol. It's better suited as cleaning fluid or a disinfectant and is banned in around 11 states. I never heard of anybody being poisoned to death, due to the THC level being too high.

SB440: http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/2023-24%20FLR/SFLR/SB440%20SFLR.PDF

I'm voting no. It's not for drugs = bad reasons. It's because I want, as much as possible to protect all of the small businesses in Oklahoma. Every step towards recreational, etc., is a step towards marijuana bringing back negligible profit margins and being taken over by the Wal Marts and Targets of the world. I do not partake whatsoever, but there are a lot of folks who are making a good living in this industry, and I'd hate to see something happen to that.

I'm voting no. It's not for drugs = bad reasons. It's because I want, as much as possible to protect all of the small businesses in Oklahoma. Every step towards recreational, etc., is a step towards marijuana bringing back negligible profit margins and being taken over by the Wal Marts and Targets of the world. I do not partake whatsoever, but there are a lot of folks who are making a good living in this industry, and I'd hate to see something happen to that.

I believe the verbiage states that the business must be operating 1 year or more with a current license to obtain a recreational license in the first 2 years of SQ820 passing. So it isn't like Walmart is going to have cannabis on the shelves next month.

Look, big retail will eventually get into the industry, nothing will stop that. Everyone knows by now that the US will eventually decriminalize the plant. Why not let your state take advantage of more tax revenue in the meantime?

I'd be shocked if stores like Walmart and Target sell cannabis even after that 2 year time frame passes if the SQ passes. Do stores like that sell it in states that have already passed recreational?

I'd be shocked if stores like Walmart and Target sell cannabis even after that 2 year time frame passes if the SQ passes. Do stores like that sell it in states that have already passed recreational?

Midtowner wasn't literally referring to Walmart and Target. Phillip Morris would be a more likely candidate to get into the business. That said, were already seeing oversaturation in the medical cannabis market. The better run places are starting to distinguish themselves from all the people who got in early and got the 'easy' money.

So if 820 passes, you can buy recreational grade without a card but would still need a card for the med grade kush?