Oklahoma voters reject cannabis legalization

Voters in Oklahoma yesterday rejected an initiative which would have legalized cannabis for adults in the state.

In most counties across the state, the cannabis reform measure-State Question 820-was the only proposition on the ballot, a unique scenario in the history of the legalization movement.

Supporters of the reform tried to make it on the November 2022 ballot paper, but delays in verifying the signatures needed to validate the referendum meant that it failed to qualify for this election cycle. In October, Republican Governor Kevin Stitt called a special election for the cannabis measure, which took place on Tuesday.

Statement on Tonight's #SQ820 Election Results pic.twitter.com/M2bC40R4zq

- Yes on 820 Campaign (@YesOn820) March 8, 2023

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Here's what the cannabis legalization project would have achieved:

The measure would have allowed adults aged 21 and over to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis (28 grams), to grow up to six mature and six growing plants for personal use. The current Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would have been responsible for regulating the program and issuing cannabis licenses.

An excise tax of 15% would have been imposed on cannabis products for adult use, with the proceeds going to a Oklahoma Marijuana Revenue Trust Fund, Oklahoma Cannabis Trust Fund.

The funds would have first covered the cost of administering the program, and the remainder would have been distributed among the municipalities where the sales took place (10%), the State Judicial Revolving Fund (10%), the general fund (30%), grants for public education (30%) and grants for programs involved in the treatment and prevention of substance abuse (20%).

People incarcerated for activities made legal by the measure would have been able to «file a petition for resentencing, reversal of conviction and dismissal, or modification of judgment and sentence». People who had already served time for such a conviction would also have been able to ask the courts to overturn their conviction.