Oklahoma, one of the conservative states within the U.S., will ask voters subsequent yr in the event that they wish to legalize leisure marijuana.
The proposal, generally known as State Query 820, can be on the poll for a particular election on March 7, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) introduced Tuesday after supporters of the proposal submitted sufficient voter signatures. If it’s handed, Oklahomans ages 21 and up can be allowed to make use of the drug and buy it from licensed retailers.
A 15% excise tax on these gross sales would fund the implementation of the legislation, with any extra spent on substance abuse packages in faculties, habit therapy packages and different state spending wants.
Final yr, round 4,000 individuals in Oklahoma had been arrested for promoting or possessing marijuana, making up greater than one-third of drug-related arrests within the state, the advocacy group NORML studies.
Medical marijuana is already authorized in Oklahoma.
“We’re grateful the voices of over 164,000 Oklahomans who signed the petition and wish to vote on legalizing leisure marijuana for adults in Oklahoma have been heard,” stated Sure On 820′s marketing campaign director, Michelle Tilley.
SQ 820′s supporters had been hopeful the proposal can be accredited in time to look on November’s midterm election poll. Nevertheless, a brand new signature verification course of that the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s workplace carried out with an out of doors agency took greater than twice so long as regular, the marketing campaign stated.
Democrats had been additionally hopeful that the proposal’s look on the poll in November would energize liberal voters to show up on the polls.
Stitt, a Republican, has stated he opposes the legalization proposal as a result of the federal authorities nonetheless considers marijuana a harmful, unlawful substance.
“Do I want that the feds would go legalized marijuana? Sure. I feel that might remedy plenty of points from all these completely different states,” Stitt beforehand instructed The Related Press. “However in our state, simply attempting to guard our state proper now, I don’t assume it could be good for Oklahoma.”
Regardless of no documented deaths related to marijuana overdoses, U.S. drug officers nonetheless categorize it as a Schedule I drug, rating it with heroin and ecstasy when it comes to threat ranges.
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