Oklahoma voters say ‘no’ to recreational marijuana ballot question

On Tuesday, Oklahoma voters decided against legalizing recreational marijuana. This would have made Oklahoma the 22nd state to allow adults to use cannabis for recreational purposes. Other conservative states, such as Montana and Missouri, have already approved similar measures. However, some conservative states, including Arkansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota, rejected the idea in the past year. Republican Governor Kevin Stitt and many GOP legislators, including almost every Republican senator, were against legalizing marijuana.

Former Republican Governor Frank Keating and Terri White, the former head of the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services led the “no” campaign. Despite being outspent by the opposition by more than 20-to-1, the “no” side won. State Question 820, the result of a signature-gathering campaign last year, was the only item on the statewide ballot. Early results showed heavy opposition in rural areas. Governor Keating emphasized the need to avoid a “stoned society,” as he was flanked by district attorneys and law enforcement officers from across the state.