Oklahoma voters may very well be making historical past subsequent month in the event that they go a legalization poll for adult-use hashish. In preparation for this, advocates have begun to extend their efforts to coach residents and enhance consciousness with a brand new web and TV advert marketing campaign.
“Get the info about State Query 820. The legislation will regulate and tax marijuana for adults 21 and up,” the new Yes on 820 video states. “It has strict security necessities for labeling, childproof packaging, and amount limits to maintain us and our youngsters secure. Plus, it’s going to generate tens of millions for colleges and well being care, and release police sources to concentrate on critical violent crime to make our communities safer. It’s working in different states. It’s time for Oklahoma.”
State Query 820 is the one query on the poll, and volunteers with Yes on 820 have been out spreading the phrase. “Shoutout to our superior volunteers for an enormous Saturday canvass! We’re knocking on doorways all throughout our nice state reminding people to vote YES on #SQ820 on March 7, 2023. #YesOn820 #LegalizeIt #Oklahoma #OKC #Tulsa #Norman #Lawton #Stillwater #Edmond #Vote #Election,” the marketing campaign wrote on its Twitter page on Feb. 18. One other submit shared the perseverance of volunteers. “Our volunteers knock doorways by way of rain, snow, and damage.”
Marketing campaign Director Michelle Tilley wrote an opinion article for Tulsa World explaining her private motivation for supporting hashish legalization, and why others ought to vote for it as properly. “I’m a lifelong Oklahoman and a mother of teenaged kids. I need my children to come back of age in a affluent state with good jobs, secure communities and adequately funded state providers,” Tilley wrote. “I need to retire right here, near them. For all these causes I’ve spent the final 14 months main the marketing campaign to legalize leisure marijuana in Oklahoma.”
Tilley continued to elucidate how legalizing hashish can enhance public security and shield kids throughout the state. “As a mom, I don’t need my kids utilizing marijuana. As somebody who remembers being an adolescent, I additionally don’t need my children—or any children—to have their lives completely altered in the event that they make a mistake,” Tilley continued. “A prison arrest for having a small quantity of marijuana could make it onerous to go to school or get a job.”
“I need Oklahoma children to thrive in secure, vibrant communities,” Tilley concluded. “Regardless of what our opposition says, there isn’t any proof that legalizing leisure marijuana will hurt any kids anyplace.”
Initially the legalization initiative was purported to be on the poll in November 2022. Advocates collected greater than sufficient signatures, however the initiative wasn’t accepted in time. The Oklahoma Supreme Courtroom denied the petition in September 2022. In October, Gov. Kevin Stitt introduced that he could be putting State Query 820 on the poll for a particular election to be held on March 7.
If handed, the initiative would legalize possession of as much as one ounce of hashish, and permit residents to develop as much as six mature vegetation for private use. Hashish merchandise would come with a 15% excise tax, and the legislation would create an Oklahoma Marijuana Income Belief Fund, which might fund this system, public schooling, and extra. Any residents who’re at present serving jail time for hashish would have the ability to file for a petition for resentencing, and those that have already served their sentence would have the ability to apply for expungement.
Sure on 820 not too long ago launched a report, produced by Vicente Sederberg LLP and the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association, which initiatives that if Oklahoma legalizes adult-use hashish, it may probably accumulate as much as $821 million in mixed medical and leisure hashish tax income.