Oklahoma’s measure to legalize recreational marijuana headed for defeat By Reuters

(Reuters) – A ballot measure to legalize adult recreational marijuana use in Oklahoma and place an excise tax on cannabis sales in the state appeared headed for a resounding defeat at the polls on Tuesday, according to election results. state.

With the overwhelming majority of constituencies reporting, just over 62% of voters cast their vote against the recreational marijuana legalization measure known as Question 820, compared with nearly 38% who supported it, they showed. unofficial state results.

The vote came nearly five years after Oklahoma voters approved the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes.

The measure would have made it legal for adults 21 and older to purchase and possess up to one ounce of marijuana and grow up to six mature cannabis plants for personal use.

It would also have placed a 15% sales tax on all recreational marijuana products, with revenue split between municipalities and the state’s general fund, public education grants and substance abuse programs.

The existing state medical marijuana authority would have been tasked with regulating and licensing commercial cannabis businesses.

In addition, people already convicted of low-level marijuana offenses that the proposed measure to legalize could have sought a new sentence or had their records expunged.

As of this year, 21 other US states have fully legalized adult marijuana, according to a Reuters tally, but cannabis remains classified as an illegal narcotic under federal law.

Advocates of liberalized marijuana laws argue that criminalizing low-level possession wastes law enforcement resources and disproportionately affects people of color. They argue that taxing cannabis would generate millions of dollars in new state revenue.

Opponents say marijuana legalization can lead to increased crime, auto and workplace accidents, and increased drug use among children.