Two Weeks Until Oklahoma Recreational Cannabis Vote

In just below two weeks, Oklahoma voters will get to resolve if they need an much more accessible, consumer-friendly hashish trade after they weigh in on

State Question 820

, which might legalize leisure marijuana, along with the state’s immense medical marijuana commerce.

The state already has one of many loosest MMJ industries within the nation, with low obstacles to entry for entrepreneurs, a liberal allowance of hashish for basically any medical ailment, and hundreds of companies which have sprung into existence because the

market launch in 2018

.

According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority database, as of Feb. 17 there have been 11,910 licensed medical hashish corporations, together with growers, dispensaries, processors, transporters, testing labs, waste disposal amenities, training amenities, and analysis amenities.

But it’s nonetheless unclear what precisely voters will select, since there hasn’t been a lot polling on the problem since November. That survey,

by Amber Integrated and KOCO 5

, discovered 49% of voters supporting the poll query, with 38% opposed and 13% undecided.

While these numbers doubtless have hashish advocates hopeful, it’s price remembering that it’s a particular election in an off-year, which tends to drastically decrease voter turnout when in comparison with normal elections held each two years in November.

Not solely that, however there’s been a political backlash for a number of years now from many institution conservatives to the wide-open MMJ market, which has led to allegations of

increased crime

. Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has gone on document opposing SQ 820, as have a number of different outstanding GOP leaders within the state, reminiscent of Attorney General Gentner Drummond.

At least one organized marketing campaign has additionally emerged to oppose the measure – Protect Our Kids, Vote No on 820,

5News reported

this week. The marketing campaign has been telling voters that authorized hashish is a hazard to youth and would exacerbate felony issues created by the present MMJ trade.

By distinction, the marketing campaign to legalize – Yes on 820 – has been touting the potential tax income advantages to the state if voters approve the poll query, which they are saying might be

more than $820 million

within the first 5 years of gross sales, based on a report from regulation agency Vicente Sederberg.

“A majority of Oklahomans want to see legalized recreational marijuana passed, they are tired of people going to jail for minor marijuana offenses when the idea of using marijuana recreationally is pretty widely accepted,” marketing campaign director Michelle Tilley advised 5News.

It’s additionally price noting that the legalization motion has suffered a number of electoral setbacks in recent times, notably on leisure marijuana questions. In November, three of 5 states that attempted to legalize hashish rejected leisure: Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, every of which have already got operational MMJ industries, and every of that are politically conservative.

Which means it’s nonetheless arduous to say simply but what is going to occur on Election Night in Oklahoma.