OKLAHOMA (OBV) – The proposition to legalize recreational marijuana failed when it was voted down by Oklahomans Tuesday.
State Question 820 (SQ 820) was defeated in a March 7 special election.
The proposition asked voters to authorize the State of Oklahoma to legalize, regulate and tax recreational marijuana, specifically protecting personal marijuana use for people 21 and older. If the measure passed, it would have established quantity limits, safety standards and restrictions and penalties for violations.
Unofficial Oklahoma State Election Board results show that 349,121 Oklahomans (62 percent) voted against the proposal while 216,883 (32 percent) voted for the proposal.
Gov. Kevin Stitt, who opposed the proposition, applauded the result.
“Oklahomans rejected State Question 820. I believe this is the best thing to keep our kids safe and for our state as a whole,” Stitt said in a statement released from his office. “Oklahoma is a law and order state. I remain committed to protecting Oklahomans and my administration will continue to hold bad actors accountable and crack down on illegal marijuana operations in our state.”
Attorney General Gentner Drummond was pleased with the vote, saying Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry is being exploited by criminal organizations. He released the following statement:
“I’m proud of Oklahomans for rejecting the expansion of organized crime by defeating State Question 820. Regardless of where one stands on the question of marijuana legalization, the stark reality is that organized crime from China and Mexico has infiltrated Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry. I will continue to focus on this serious threat to public safety by targeting the illegal grow operations throughout our state.”
Attorney General Gentner Drummond
Chad Warmington, president and CEO of The State Chamber of Oklahoma, said legalizing recreational marijuana would have exacerbated ongoing issues related to marijuana in the state. He issued the following statement:
“Out of state funders might have had the resources to fill our airwaves, but they can’t speak louder than the voices of Oklahomans. The voters have clearly stated that they do not want to add fuel to the fire when it comes to the current marijuana crisis that exists in our state. SQ 820 would have made the situation worse without solving the problems that persist. Tonight, is a big win for Oklahoma and tomorrow we need to get to work with the legislature to fix the existing problems within our medical marijuana system.”
Chad Warmington, president and CEO of The State Chamber
