Petition to legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma filed

An initiative petition to legalize recreational marijuana use for Oklahomans ages 21 and older was quietly filed with the secretary of state’s office Thursday. 

The 15-page petition seeks to amend Oklahoma’s constitution to legalize recreational marijuana for most residents and impose an excise tax of 15% on recreational, but not medical, marijuana. 

Colorado, one of the first states to legalize recreational marijuana, also imposes a 15% excise tax on recreational cannabis in addition to a 15% sales tax. 

Should proposed State Question 806 pass, the petition grants Oklahoma’s Legislature the power to change the set tax rate no sooner than Nov. 3, 2024. 

The tax money would go into a new fund called the Oklahoma Marijuana Revenue Trust Fund. 

Under the proposed state question, people caught smoking marijuana in disallowed public places will be subject to a $25 fine. The petition bars law enforcement officials from searching, detaining or arresting people who are caught smoking marijuana in public places. 

Anyone under age 21 who is caught possessing, ingesting, inhaling, or transporting marijuana could face a civil penalty of $100 and be required to forfeit the cannabis. 

The petition lists additional penalties for people caught with more marijuana than allowed by the measure. [Read More @ The Oklahoman]