Oklahoma governor sets March election for marijuana question

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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.

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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)