Oklahoma legislature refuses to advance any cannabis policy reforms in 2024

In 2024, the Oklahoma legislature did not act on any positive cannabis policy reforms. Since voters defeated Question 820, a ballot initiative that would have legalized the adult use of cannabis, lawmakers’ focus has been on limiting Oklahoma’s free market approach to medical cannabis. Their emphasis has been on tightening the regulatory structure of the program, rather than any expansion. 

Criminal justice reforms stalled in committees in the Sooner State in 2024. 

MPP’s 2019 report on decriminalization found almost 6,000 people a year are arrested for possession of cannabis in Oklahoma. Cannabis consumers face up to six months of jail time and/or a fine of up to $1,200 for possession of any amount.

Ask your lawmakers to stop jailing cannabis consumers (“decriminalization”). 

Penalizing individuals with jail time and a criminal record for possessing small amounts of cannabis wastes law enforcement resources. It can also lead to a lifetime of harsh consequences, including denial of student financial aid, housing, employment, and professional licenses. You can find more information on decriminalization here.

Legalization initiative defeated in special election with low voter turnout

During a March 7, 2023 special election, Oklahoma voters defeated Question 820, a ballot initiative to legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis for adults. The measure would also have allowed individuals to expunge low-level cannabis convictions from their criminal records.

State authorities could have placed the voter initiative on the November 2022 general election ballot, but instead put it on a standalone special election ballot in March 2023.

Unfortunately, only 25% of eligible voters participated, and SQ 820 lost with only 38.3% voting in favor. Despite this disappointing outcome, campaign leaders vowed that the effort to end senseless cannabis arrests and establish a safer system of regulated sales in Oklahoma would continue. MPP remains committed to supporting this work.

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Oklahoma’s broad medical cannabis law swiftly implemented

On June 26, 2018, Oklahoma voters passed what may be the nation’s broadest medical cannabis law. After that, the state became the quickest in the nation to fully implement an effective medical cannabis law.

Licensed medical marijuana patients and caregivers are allowed to possess and grow limited amounts of cannabis and to purchase cannabis from regulated businesses. Unlike most medical marijuana states, there is no list of qualifying conditions. “A medical marijuana license must be recommended according to the accepted standards a reasonable and prudent physician would follow when recommending or approving any medication.” (You can read our summary of SQ 788 here.)

Oklahoma’s program is one of the largest in the nation. Over 8.5% of Oklahomans are registered as medical cannabis patients. The state also took a “free market” approach to cannabis businesses. As of June 2024, it has more than 3,600 licensed growers and over 2,000 dispensaries.

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