In a special election on Tuesday, Oklahoma voters decisively rejected a measure to legalize adult-use cannabis. The vote was a significant blow to advocates of legalization in a state where medical marijuana has already been legalized.
Poll Result Numbers
The proposed measure, State Question 820, lost by almost 27 points, with 141,978 votes in favor to 242,234 against. The defeat follows similar losses in Arkansas and both North and South Dakota last November.
This is seen as a test of whether a conservative state like Oklahoma could be convinced to legalize adult-use cannabis. However, with most of both rural and urban voters opposing the measure, it appears that the answer is no.
Advocates of the cannabis industry fear that the defeat could lead to a crackdown on medical marijuana in the state. Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program has been seen as one of the most liberal in the country, with very few restrictions on who can qualify for a medical card. However, opponents of legalization have argued that the program has been too lenient and that the state needs to tighten its regulations.
State Question 820
The defeat of State Question 820 is also a sign that broader marijuana reform, including federal legalization, might be more difficult to achieve than anticipated. However, as more and more states move towards legalization, it seems increasingly likely that federal legalization will eventually follow. Until then, advocates of legalization will have to continue to fight for progress on a state-by-state basis.
It’s worth noting that even though the adult-use legalization measure was defeated in Oklahoma, the state’s medical marijuana industry is still booming. According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, there are currently over 375,000 active medical marijuana patient licenses in the state, with over 9,000 licensed businesses.
Bottom Line
These businesses are required to follow strict Oklahoma weed labeling guidelines, which include detailed information about the product’s potency, ingredients, and testing results. While the defeat of the adult-use measure is a setback for advocates of legalization, it’s clear that the medical marijuana industry in Oklahoma is here to stay.
