Oklahoma activists are preparing two separate cannabis measures for the 2022 ballot. One would overhaul the current medical cannabis program. The other would create a recreational cannabis sales program for adults 21 and over. Both measures are written separately. But they will work together should both of them pass. Right now, activists are seeking public input on each measure they plan to submit. 

Medical Cannabis Program

The current medical cannabis program in Oklahoma, which voters approved in 2018, is one of the most liberal in the country. There isn’t a specific list of qualifying conditions for which patients can and can’t purchase and consume medical cannabis. Patients only need a recommendation from a licensed physician for medical cannabis consumption. Currently, around 10 percent of Oklahoma’s population holds a legal medical cannabis card.

The overhaul of the medical cannabis program looks to create a new state agency to regulate all types of legal cannabis. This would include hemp, THC, cannabis, and hemp cannabinoids. It would also establish funds for research, environmental remediation, and mental health services. Finally, the new state agency would work to combat the state’s illicit cannabis market. 

​​“Unlike states that have a small medical program, we have a program that effectively is like a full-access program already,” Lawrence Pasternack said. He is a cannabis legalization advocate and a professor at Oklahoma State University. Pasternack also notes that by some estimates, Oklahoma has more operating dispensaries than any other U.S. state, including more than double the number in California.

Recreational Cannabis Program

Activists say they don’t imagine a separate adult-use market for cannabis because of how liberal and open the current medical cannabis program is. Instead, activists are wanting to transform the state’s medical cannabis program to allow adults 21 and over to make legal purchases. It would essentially turn the medical cannabis program into a recreational cannabis program. Should both measures receive approval, the taxes for each kind of sales would change. There would be a 15 percent tax on all nonmedical sales to adults. Any medical products would see a reduction in taxes from seven percent to zero. 

The measure also includes expungement efforts made under this new recreational type program. Medical cannabis is legal in Oklahoma. However, “between 4,000 and 6,000 people continue to be charged with simple possession” in the state each year, according to Pasternack. Expunging records is the first step towards social equity. 

Future

Pasternack is working with activist group Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) to write the initial drafts of both measures. Right now, each measure is still in the drafting phase. However, Pasternack encourages public feedback. He, along with ORCA, said they planned to file the measures “in a few weeks.” 

As more information becomes available, we will update you with the latest. 

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