Oklahoma governor sets March election for marijuana question

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Oklahoma governor sets March election for marijuana question

By SEAN MURPHY
October 18, 2022

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday set a statewide election for March 7 for voters to decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, a question Democrats had hoped would be on the November ballot to help energize liberal voters.

Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws gathered enough signatures to qualify the question for a statewide vote and thought the proposal would be on the ballot in November. But because it took longer than usual to count the signatures and for courts to consider legal challenges, there wasn’t enough time to print the ballots ahead of the November election.

If approved by voters, the question would legalize the use of marijuana for any adult over the age of 21. Marijuana sales would be subjected to a 15% excise tax on top of the standard sales tax, and the revenue it generates would be used to help fund local municipalities, the court system, public schools, substance abuse treatment and the state’s general revenue fund.

The proposal also outlines a judicial process for people to seek expungement or dismissal of prior marijuana-related convictions.

-snip-

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/elections-marijuana-oklahoma-general-ee1bab3b4b25fda860d1477ac109e077


FILE - Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws delivers more than 164,000 signatures to the Office of the Secretary of State at the Oklahoma state Capitol in Oklahoma City, July 5, 2022. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022, set a special statewide election for March 7 for voters to decide whether to legalize the recreational use of marijuana. (Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman via AP, File)

[walkingman]

1. It's really sad to me that Oklahoma is more open than Texas when it comes to allowing

the voters of Texas decide about marijuana usage. That says a lot about the Texas State government. Ignorant Assholes that will more than likely be re-elected.

[Doc Sportello]

2. It should have been on the November ballot

Stitt and the repugs delayed it because they knew it would increase Democratic turnout in the mid-terms. Almost unbelievably he is in a tight race for re-election and some polls actually show him behind. He is totally corrupt and even repub and indies know it. A Democrat is also set to win Sec. of Education because the repub nominee is so extreme, and also corrupt.

Even in March it will probably pass. There are dispensaries everywhere and weed is very popular across all ages and beliefs, so eliminating the fees to get a medical card will spur a lot of voters to pass it.

[modrepub]

3. Putting A Ballot Measure On A Primary Ballot

should be illegal. Does OK have an open primary or closed? In my state, it's closed so only registered R & D voters show up to primaries and in most primaries less than 30% of registered voters bother showing up at all.

In my state, conservative voters are the only folks who consistently show up and vote in primary elections so it's hard to pass any progressive ballot measures. By design, conservative initiatives are more likely to pass (often with less than 20% voter participation rates). Maybe OK is different, but I suspect conservatives know any measure they don't support will likely not be passed on a primary ballot as opposed to a general election.