Oklahoma votes today to legalize cannabis

Oklahoma voters are heading to the polls today to vote on a measure that would legalize cannabis for adults.

The measure would allow adults aged 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of cannabis (28 grams), to grow up to six mature plants and six plants in the growth stage for personal use. The current Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would be responsible for regulating the program and issuing cannabis operating licenses.

An excise tax of 15 % would be imposed on cannabis products for adult use, and the revenue would be paid into a « Oklahoma Marijuana Revenue Trust Fund«, an Oklahoma cannabis trust fund.

The funds would first cover the cost of administering the program, and the remainder would be 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 %).

Individuals incarcerated for activities made legal by the measure could «file a motion seeking a new sentencing determination, a vacation of the conviction and dismissal of the case, or a modification of the judgment and sentence.» Individuals who have already served their sentences for such convictions may also ask the courts to set aside their convictions.

Recreational legalization is expected to generate more than $100 million in new revenue for the state each year, or approximately $434 million between 2024 and 2028.

Governor Kevin Stitt, opposes the legalization of adult use, although he stated last year that he believed the federal government should end prohibition to «resolve many problems in all these different states» that have legalized cannabis. He also said last year that he believed Oklahoma voters had been misled into approving an earlier initiative to legalization of medical cannabis in 2018.

State Republican Party leaders and GOP elected officials have also urged voters to reject the measure to legalize recreational cannabis in Oklahoma.

Edit on March 8, 2023: Oklahoma voted against legalizing cannabis