So if 820 passes, you can buy recreational grade without a card but would still need a card for the med grade kush?Good question. I'm wondering where that comes from. The text of the ballot measure doesn't say anything about that. I know it can be put in later though.

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.

Then you might as well hope the Feds never legalize marijuana or take it off schedule.

It's up to Oklahoma Republican legislators to regulate cannabis stores like liquor stores. Liquor stores are like mom and pop stores with no liquor chains from out of state.

Great! I saw a pro 820 ad on TV this evening after the channel 4 weather.

From hearing a meeting in opposition, they are pissed their campaign doesn't have as much presence as 820. They are also pissed the state GOP won't take a position against it and refuse to be involved. There doesn't even seem to be a no on 820 website.

I've been wanting rec marijuana legalized since 1999 when I came to find out shockingly harsh the laws were against marijuana. When caught with two joints you could be told you could be looking for life in prison for distribution. Or maybe the prosecutor just wanted something like 256 years in prison You needed a pretty good lawyer to bring things down to sanity and not everybody could get one. Meanwhile, clerks could sell alcohol and tobacco to adults all they wanted.

Great! I saw a pro 820 ad on TV this evening after the channel 4 weather.

From hearing a meeting in opposition, they are pissed their campaign doesn't have as much presence as 820. They are also pissed the state GOP won't take a position against it and refuse to be involved. There doesn't even seem to be a no on 820 website.

I've been wanting rec marijuana legalized since 1999 when I came to find out shockingly harsh the laws were against marijuana. When caught with two joints you could be told you could be looking for life in prison for distribution. Or maybe the prosecutor just wanted something like 256 years in prison You needed a pretty good lawyer to bring things down to sanity and not everybody could get one. Meanwhile, clerks could sell alcohol and tobacco to adults all they wanted.

Absolutely why everybody should vote yes. I'm sure 820 could be nitpicked, but to vote no simply because you don't want businesses who have benefited from medical passing to be impacted is such a small mindset in the grand scheme. Vote yes for 820 because people should be free in all circumstances to avoid prosecution from archaic drug laws.

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.

Is there anyone in the industry actually against this passing? If your reasoning for voting against it is valid, there should be a loud majority of MM business owners in opposition to the SQ.

Is there anyone in the industry actually against this passing? If your reasoning for voting against it is valid, there should be a loud majority of MM business owners in opposition to the SQ.
True. And I haven't heard a peep.

It'll be good for the business owners. It's a nice handout to them and will greatly increase their profitability. I can't imagine most of them complaining.

Now the patients on the other hand...

It'll be good for the business owners. It's a nice handout to them and will greatly increase their profitability. I can't imagine most of them complaining.

Now the patients on the other hand...

I’ve read that full legalization is terrible for wholesale/retail margins, which are already razor thin in most medical only States. Very easy to end up with too much supply.

I’ve read that full legalization is terrible for wholesale/retail margins, which are already razor thin in most medical only States. Very easy to end up with too much supply.

I have a hard time imagining adding hundreds of thousands of potential new customers while at the same time freezing all new production and retail licenses for two years having a negative affect on margins. It's going to be a seller's market.

I will be voting yes. There are some strong arguments against this state question, but I'm going to vote to fully legalize cannabis, something I've supported for at least 30 years.

For the people who are saying this will harm small business, I ask, "What do you think these businesses are going to do to survive without new customers?"

Due to the total lack of regulation of the MMJ industry, we have more grows, dispensaries, and product than is sustainable. Also, the cost and inconvenience of obtaining a medical card is pushing people to continue to buy from black market sources.

So, Oklahoma is producing more weed than can legally be purchased by metric tons. That's not even taking into consideration the illegal growers involved.

If this question is passed, our struggling mom and pop dispensaries and grow facilities will have infinitely more customers: not only from Okies who didn't get a card (a massive number), but also out of state visitors, who will be able to enjoy the wonderful joy of legally consuming cannabis.

The folks pinning their opposition on "protecting mom and pop" are seriously lacking in economic sophistication. 1). Large-scale companies are already growing here now; there's just a severely limited legal market of consumers, and 2) Once legalized, the market for legal buyers is going to probably quadruple. I mean, do people really believe only 400,000 Oklahomans buy pot? If you believe this, you are an idiot.

The amount of people who currently reside in Oklahoma who buy pot is at least double that number. AND, that doesn't account for the millions of people who visit our state on an annual basis.

The most important reason to vote "YES" is the expungement of MJ convictions.

It's not perfect. Few bills are. But vote yes, dammit. It will be an important milestone in our criminal justice reform, it will undoubtedly raise a buttload more revenue for the state, AND, it will greatly increase the market of consumers of our MOM AND POP MJ businesses.

Is there anyone in the industry actually against this passing? If your reasoning for voting against it is valid, there should be a loud majority of MM business owners in opposition to the SQ.

I can only speak anecdotally, but my contacts in the industry are against this. If we have recreational, it's only a matter of time before marijuana products grace the shelves of Walgreen's and CVS. If we're serious about keeping the industry local and middle class, two things have to happen--it has to be treated like liquor was, i.e., we have to have protectionist and even inefficient distribution models aimed at protectionism and we have to get serious about policing illegal grows. We can't continue to turn a blind eye to the effect this is having on rural Oklahoma and not expect a major backlash at the ballot box.

I'm all in, will vote yes. And I do NOT partake. I just believe the people has a right to decide, not the government. And if later on changes need to be made, then vote again.

I don't think the SAFE banking bill has been passed so I wonder how all of this money will be tracked and handled in the State. I read the 820 Bill and don't see that it addresses the tracking of money or how the proceeds will be tracked for proper taxing purposes. Seems confusing. Question....can you use a credit card to purchase medical marijuana products in Oklahoma?

I know the Tax Commission early on had a problem with cash being brought to the horse shoe. They added guards, but then somewhere down the line I think a local bank was able to accept and process funds.
I don't think I dreamed this up.

I'm all in, will vote yes. And I do NOT partake. I just believe the people has a right to decide, not the government. And if later on changes need to be made, then vote again.

Same here. I have not used and probably never will, but the current state of our laws is unjust.

Just got another flyer from yeson820.com, brought up a point I hadn't thought about - veterans can't get prescribed MMJ due to the federal schedule, so making it recreational gives them an option.

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 don't know that it necessarily will if the government steps in to protect these middle class jobs/businesses. Look how long liquor stores managed to maintain their status. Not so much now, but they did a good job providing middle class jobs to hundreds of Oklahomans for a long time.

Just got another flyer from yeson820.com, brought up a point I hadn't thought about - veterans can't get prescribed MMJ due to the federal schedule, so making it recreational gives them an option.

I don't quite get that logic. I know plenty of vets with the medical card. Is it that they can't get the medical recommendation at the VA and have to go to a place that will issue them?

I don't quite get that logic. I know plenty of vets with the medical card. Is it that they can't get the medical recommendation at the VA and have to go to a place that will issue them?

Yeah, you're right, hadn't had enough coffee to apply critical thinking skills yet. Wonder if the VA would have their docs issue a medical recommendation even if it was de/re-scheduled federally? Guessing that some vets just do what the rest of us do, like you said...

I don't know that it necessarily will if the government steps in to protect these middle class jobs/businesses. Look how long liquor stores managed to maintain their status. Not so much now, but they did a good job providing middle class jobs to hundreds of Oklahomans for a long time.

What does a typical Liquor store employee earn? Not the owner, but an employee? I would be surprised if it is anywhere close to a middle class income.

I don't quite get that logic. I know plenty of vets with the medical card. Is it that they can't get the medical recommendation at the VA and have to go to a place that will issue them?

Vets can get the medical card. The issue is, as you intuited, that VA docs are prohibited from prescribing it due to it still being a federal crime. That actually applies to any medical institution receiving federal grants funds For example, doctors at the Stephenson Cancer Center are not allowed to prescribe it. Thus, vets must go through a route other than the VA to get a prescription.

What does a typical Liquor store employee earn? Not the owner, but an employee? I would be surprised if it is anywhere close to a middle class income.

You're likely right, especially the hourly employees but this doesn't improve when the business moves to walmart - if anything the average employee pay probably drops. But the hundreds of middle class jobs were the liquor store owners and managers. Personally, I'd prefer in state owners who are paying in state income taxes and live and work here make the profits of the liquor retail business than shipping it all back to Bentonville but here we are...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG4HLkorPaY
Will Texans cross the border to purchase recreational marijuana in Oklahoma...

You're likely right, especially the hourly employees but this doesn't improve when the business moves to walmart - if anything the average employee pay probably drops. But the hundreds of middle class jobs were the liquor store owners and managers. Personally, I'd prefer in state owners who are paying in state income taxes and live and work here make the profits of the liquor retail business than shipping it all back to Bentonville but here we are...

I'm in your camp and still have not decided on how or if I will vote on this issue. I am a card holder.

I can only speak anecdotally, but my contacts in the industry are against this. If we have recreational, it's only a matter of time before marijuana products grace the shelves of Walgreen's and CVS. If we're serious about keeping the industry local and middle class, two things have to happen--it has to be treated like liquor was, i.e., we have to have protectionist and even inefficient distribution models aimed at protectionism and we have to get serious about policing illegal grows. We can't continue to turn a blind eye to the effect this is having on rural Oklahoma and not expect a major backlash at the ballot box.

Yeah, Payne County Republicans at their two opposition meetings featuring speakers against SQ820 bring up illegal grows, crime and heavy demand on water and electricity. Hopefully, the 15% sales tax on cannabis sales can provide much improved support for enforcement. Some people at the meetings were very unhappy that the state Republican Party is not taking a stand against SQ820.

"it has to be treated like liquor was" --- I would generally agree, but I do kinda disagree for personal consumption.

I don't see any issue with personal growing (or personal distillation for that matter). It seems kinda weird that we say some fictitious person (e.g., company) can make it, but a real person cannot? That just seems silly.

I am for the business regulations though - Just like I can't go to walmart and buy a bottle of Vodka, there is no reason a similar law couldn't be put in place that would restrict me from buying pot in walmart.

I have mixed feelings on recreational. I don't care what anyone else does but I'm tired of smelling it everywhere I go. Oklahoma is almost as bad as Vegas now. I smell it at stoplights, parking lots, drive thru's, and grocery stores. I can smell it on I 35 as I'm driving through north Edmond. Dispensaries are in every strip mall. I don't think the card is limiting anyone except non-residents. And we all know how the tax dollars will work because we've seen it with the casino's and lottery. They'll say it goes to education but then they'll reduce the education budget so it'll end up a wash. I do think it'll pass by a large margin because there is not any groups opposing it that I've seen.

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

I have mixed feelings on recreational. I don't care what anyone else does but I'm tired of smelling it everywhere I go. Oklahoma is almost as bad as Vegas now. I smell it at stoplights, parking lots, drive thru's, and grocery stores. I can smell it on I 35 as I'm driving through north Edmond. Dispensaries are in every strip mall. I don't think the card is limiting anyone except non-residents. And we all know how the tax dollars will work because we've seen it with the casino's and lottery. They'll say it goes to education but then they'll reduce the education budget so it'll end up a wash. I do think it'll pass by a large margin because there is not any groups opposing it that I've seen.
It limits a lot of us residents also. I'm in pain bad enough that I would bet many people just would go on disability and hang it up. I love my job. I can't get a card because of it though. I also won't partake at work because that's just wrong. But at least I could get some relief on my own time if recreational passes.

Criminal justice reform efforts driving fundraising in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.

https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/reform-efforts-driving-fundraising-in-favor-of-legalizing-recreational-marijuana/

How disgusting some people opposed to SQ820 are attacking veterans for using medical marijuana:

"Oklahoma veterans do not need dope!"
https://okie.world/photos2/antivetmj.jpg

Two Oklahoma pro cannabis activists meet online to discuss SQ820 and address some of the concerns the opposition has against it. One of them, "Uncle Grumpy" is an unpaid lobbyist for cannabis. One of the most significant comments he made was,

"You know, one of the greatest things I can get legislators to agree upon at the capitol is the reaction when I say what if SQ820 fails? And they just all shake their heads and say that's not good."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjU83q4tyOo&ab_channel=UncleGrumpy

Yeah, Payne County Republicans at their two opposition meetings featuring speakers against SQ820 bring up illegal grows, crime and heavy demand on water and electricity. Hopefully, the 15% sales tax on cannabis sales can provide much improved support for enforcement. Some people at the meetings were very unhappy that the state Republican Party is not taking a stand against SQ820.

This gives me hope. Oklahoma Democrats became uncompetitive when they lost their rural voters. It's easy to forget when all of your money is coming from OKC/Tulsa. Hopefully, the GOP will continue to ignore what their base's concerns are and hopefully, the Dems will be smart enough to do something about it. Were I a Dem, I'd be advocating a dual chairmanship--one for Oklahoma/Tulsa/Cleveland counties and one for the rest of the state.

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

I believe that this the dog food plant you are smelling, not the Chronic.

Good insight on how recreational and medicinal marijuana could work. Thanks for posting Bunty.

Bill,

Thank you for showing me that angle. I never thought about not being able to get a card because of a job. I've been self-employed since 18 so I've never had any restrictions. Does your employer drug test? If so, you still many be unable to partake.

I hope you can get the pain relief you need some how.

Bill,

Thank you for showing me that angle. I never thought about not being able to get a card because of a job. I've been self-employed since 18 so I've never had any restrictions. Does your employer drug test? If so, you still many be unable to partake.

I hope you can get the pain relief you need some how.It's a Fed Govt facility and I have to maintain clearance to have my position. I've been where I am for 21 years and I've never heard of a drug test. Even after accidents which are supposed to automatically trigger tests so I'm not worried about that. I am worried about some alarm going off in Washington if I get a card.

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

LOL! Trust me, no one has smoked in my car. If someone did I'd buy a new one. I can't stand the smell. Go up I-35 north of Covell and you can smell it. I have a friend that lives off Simmons and someone started a grow near them. They can't even sit outside anymore because of it and are considering moving.

LOL! Trust me, no one has smoked in my car. If someone did I'd buy a new one. I can't stand the smell. Go up I-35 north of Covell and you can smell it. I have a friend that lives off Simmons and someone started a grow near them. They can't even sit outside anymore because of it and are considering moving.

If rural counties defeat SQ820 as expected, we'll know one reason why. Is the new grow even legal? I don't smell anything in town, but I don't need to drive in the countryside much or visit anybody there.

SQ820 opponents fear a large yes turnout in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman will overcome heavy rural county opposition. Stillwater, Lawton and Tahlequah could be strong secondary sources for additional yes votes. But I think the rural counties bordering on Texas and Kansas will be giving up a lot of business and tax revenue, if they vote no. But then that smell, lol! Small towns on the Interstates will benefit from the traffic. Urban areas, too, especially dispensaries near the exits.

My guess is if urban support for marijuana hasn't deteriorated, then SQ820 will win. And rural counties bordering TX and KS will profit off the smell.

It's a Fed Govt facility and I have to maintain clearance to have my position. I've been where I am for 21 years and I've never heard of a drug test. Even after accidents which are supposed to automatically trigger tests so I'm not worried about that. I am worried about some alarm going off in Washington if I get a card.

Bill, sorry to hear that you're still having pain....I did recommend Curcumin, and I guess it didn't work for you. Look at this product https://ultrabotanica.com/collections/inflammation-support/products/ultracur-advanced-the-power-of-three and maybe try it. Made in Oklahoma. This Company also sells CBD products that might help. Good luck.

Bill, sorry to hear that you're still having pain....I did recommend Curcumin, and I guess it didn't work for you. Look at this product https://ultrabotanica.com/collections/inflammation-support/products/ultracur-advanced-the-power-of-three and maybe try it. Made in Oklahoma. This Company also sells CBD products that might help. Good luck.Unfortunately it didn't do anything. Neither does Kratom or CBD.

Unfortunately it didn't do anything. Neither does Kratom or CBD.

I do remember that.....this is product is a different formulation so I thought it might be worth a try. They do offer a "free" trial so might be worth a try.

This week's Gazette featured a "spokesman" for the cannabis industry. His headshot was a selfie. He was wearing a green hoodie and sporting a topknot. In the background were marijuana plants.

You're supporting a multibillion dollar industry. Go buy a suit, get some professional headshots and lose the topknot. If you're trying to appeal to mainstream voters, try looking like a professional rather than a caricature of everything people believe about marijuana users. Try being a slightly skilled communicator or hire one. You can afford it.

This week's Gazette featured a "spokesman" for the cannabis industry. His headshot was a selfie. He was wearing a green hoodie and sporting a topknot. In the background were marijuana plants.

You're supporting a multibillion dollar industry. Go buy a suit, get some professional headshots and lose the topknot. If you're trying to appeal to mainstream voters, try looking like a professional rather than a caricature of everything people believe about marijuana users. Try being a slightly skilled communicator or hire one. You can afford it.

It worked for Fetterman. :cool:

It worked for Fetterman. :cool:

It did...

But Pennsylvania and Oklahoma are different places. And Fetterman was going for a man of the people sort of vibe. If the Cannabis industry wants to portray its owners as businessmen and not drug lords, they need to look the part.

This week's Gazette featured a "spokesman" for the cannabis industry. His headshot was a selfie. He was wearing a green hoodie and sporting a topknot. In the background were marijuana plants.

You're supporting a multibillion dollar industry. Go buy a suit, get some professional headshots and lose the topknot. If you're trying to appeal to mainstream voters, try looking like a professional rather than a caricature of everything people believe about marijuana users. Try being a slightly skilled communicator or hire one. You can afford it.

So you are voting no to protect small marijuana business owners but then you come in the thread to criticize them for not looking like high level corporate shills? Smh, you are something else.

All this reasoning for voting against. I'm starting to wonder if certain people have been hired by the state of Oklahoma 50 cent army.

Talked to both of my brothers and relatives who live in the Oklahoma City MSA, know of 14 voters who will be voting 'Yes' with 0 "No" votes so far.

Talked to both of my brothers and relatives who live in the Oklahoma City MSA, know of 14 voters who will be voting 'Yes' with 0 "No" votes so far.
I'm hoping that's pretty close to what happens.

All this reasoning for voting against. I'm starting to wonder if certain people have been hired by the state of Oklahoma 50 cent army.

All the Against crowd has to do is stir up the rural zombie voters to go to the polls on Tuesday to prevent their state from becoming a liberal wasteland.

The onus is on the For crowd to outpace this rural wave by informing young voters.

There should be a massive social media campaign this week that targets young voters with memes and clip-style video ads.

I find that folks voting against stuff rarely are motivated voters. If it was a regular election you could probably count on a lot of no votes, but unless there is a pretty big get out the vote effort by the opposition I'd be surprised if they show up in force.

Hopefully, this letter to the editor gets out to newspapers big and small across the state. I think it reinforces the yes vote and can get people still sitting on the fence to decide to vote yes. And a good counter to the opposition, such as conservative churches, who may be seeing SQ820 as a revote on SQ788.

https://www.stwnewspress.com/opinion/guest-column-state-question-820-passage-would-be-another-big-step-in-marijuana-decriminalization/article_135ec6fa-b6e0-11ed-ae1d-83856befc2f3.html?fbclid=IwAR0AdVk1OYC_wFGoKQ5j0yI 6QguzzB-pPknysNkxfzBfiweb8ww0r998QVI

So you are voting no to protect small marijuana business owners but then you come in the thread to criticize them for not looking like high level corporate shills? Smh, you are something else.

It doesn't cost that much to look professional. If you're trying to win mainstream votes, you should be trying to appeal to the mainstream, not looking like some counterculture stoner.

High level corporate shills win campaigns, and part of being a professional communicator, if that's what you're trying to be, is looking like a professional communicator.

KFOR - Oklahoma News 4


https://kfor.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2023/02/d42fd938352741a58754f8a2c03e454a.jpg?w=876&h=493&crop=1

What to know about Oklahoma’s recreational marijuana state question
by: K. Querry-Thompson/KFOR - Posted: Mar 1, 2023 / 06:45 AM CST

State Question 820

On March 7, voters will head to the polls to voice their opinion on State Question 820.

Organizers say State Question 820 will safely legalize, regulate, and tax recreational marijuana for adults who are 21-years-old and older in Oklahoma. . .

Full story link: https://kfor.com/news/local/what-to-know-about-oklahomas-recreational-marijuana-state-question/?email=3cba22128636829d54c2274a946cad07a7df4b52&emaila=877f6b0224952515759547f8dabd756e&emailb=6e467157eb8c16734fe40bfaa7014a1f81bc7271652 1efc3c4ae869e3b153d7c&utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Personalized%20Daily%20News%20MWF%202 023-03-01

It's very interesting how Gov. Stitt chose March 7th as the date to vote on SQ820. Had he instead chosen March 14 that is when Oklahoma college students are on spring break and may not be in a good position to go to the polls. They are an important source for yes voters. Stitt is against SQ820, so maybe Stitt's advisors aren't all that bright. But maybe the governor's strategy was to make it a standalone vote and hope opponents are motivated to turn out in bigger numbers.

It's very interesting how Gov. Stitt chose March 7th as the date to vote on SQ820. Had he instead chosen March 14 that is when Oklahoma college students are on spring break and may not be in a good position to go to the polls. They are an important source for yes voters. Stitt is against SQ820, so maybe Stitt's advisors aren't all that bright. But maybe the governor's strategy was to make it a standalone vote and hope opponents are motivated to turn out in bigger numbers.

I think Stitt is salivating over the additional tax revenue rec will bring, so it might be a win either way for him and the OK GOP. My guess is they like tax money more than they hate pot.

Seeing more vote no commercials than vote yes commercials on TV in the couple of days.

Voted at the Oklahoma County Election Board at 12:15 p.m. (4201 N. Lincoln Boulevard) , no long lines but the parking lot was full
with a steady stream of voters.

Strange observation--many voters were wearing green.

I guess it will come down to who is more motivated to get out to vote. I feel like Medical passed as rural Oklahomans were in favor of this. I wonder if that has changed with how many farms and shops have popped up. I guess we will know next week.

Voted at the Oklahoma County Election Board at 12:15 p.m. (4201 N. Lincoln Boulevard) , no long lines but the parking lot was full
with a steady stream of voters.

Strange observation--many voters were wearing green.
I'm off tomorrow so I'm thinking about going in.