Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt called for a March vote on legalizing Cannabis after challenges kept it off November ‘s ballot, reports the Kiowa County Press. Voters will decide the issue March 7.
The governor issued an executive proclamation on Tuesday for the referendum. If approved by voters the measure would legalize up to an ounce of marijuana for adults 21 and over.
The possession limit is eight grams of marijuana concentrates and eight grams of marijuana-infused products. The cultivation limit is six mature plants and six seedlings, reports The Marijuana Herald.
Oklahoma Supreme Court Had Struck Question 820 From November’s Ballot
Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws gathered enough signatures to qualify the question for a statewide vote. The group thought the proposal would be on the ballot in November, reports NBC News.
But the Oklahoma Supreme Court had shot down a chance for voters to decide on adult-use cannabis legalization this year. The court claimed the question could not be printed on ballots in time to comply with the deadline for mailing them to absentee voters.
Now, voters will finally get to answer State Question 820, reports the Cannabis Business Times.
Turnout For Special Elections Is Lower
Political observers said putting SQ 820 on the Nov. 8 ballot would benefit Democrats in the midterm election, reports Tulsa World.
Turnout for special elections is almost always lower.
About 892,000 voters cast ballots on Oklahoma’s medical marijuana question in the June 2018 midterm primary election. By comparison, only about 528,000 voters cast ballots in the governor’s race in this year’s midterm primary election.
“We Are Obviously Very Excited”
The move recent state Supreme Court ruling would have seen State Question 820 return to voters in November 2024. With Stitt’s executive powers, voters in one of the most bustling U.S. cannabis markets will have a shot at legalizing a new adult-use industry much sooner.
The group behind this ballot measure — Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws, known around the state as Yes On 820 — said it will continue to work to raise awareness of the March 7 vote.
“After all the delays, we are obviously very excited we are going to the ballot sooner rather than later,” said Michelle Tilley, campaign director for Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws. “Everyone in Oklahoma that has supported this petition is very excited to get this across the finish line.”
Republicans, Democrats, Libertarians and independents who signed the petition are ready to start reaping the benefits of legalizing and taxing adult use of marijuana, Tilley said.
