In Oklahoma, a plan to legalize marijuana for recreational use was rejected on Tuesday.
Voters in the conservative state overwhelmingly opposed the measure, stopping Oklahoma from becoming the 22nd state to legalize marijuana for recreational use.
Republican strategist Pat McFerron said, “We’re happy the voters have spoken. “We believe this indicates that voters are unhappy that our medical system is being used recreationally. We think it demonstrates that people understand the criminal implications and the importance of addressing the state’s mental health concerns.
The measure, if passed, would have allowed anyone over the age of 21 to “buy and possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana, including concentrates and marijuana-infused items.” Proponents anticipated a significant revenue boost from sales taxes.
With one of the country’s most tolerant programs and a medical marijuana approval rate of about 10% among adults, Oklahoma approved medical marijuana in 2018. According to the National Library of Medicine, only a recommending physician is needed to qualify; hence there are no prerequisites.
To profit from the recreational marijuana ballot question, marijuana business owners invaded the state.
They observed sales coming from the nearby Dallas-Fort Worth region, where it is prohibited to use marijuana recreationally.
Brian Vicente, a committee representative in favor of legalizing marijuana for recreational use in Oklahoma, said, “We understood from the outset this would be an uphill battle. There is still work to be done after a century of anti-marijuana propaganda, so it is not an easy assignment.
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