Oklahoma Activists File Ballot Initiatives To Legalize Recreational Marijuana In The State

Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action is trying to legalize recreational marijuana.

The advocacy group said it's not a matter of "if" but "when."

There are still many steps that need to happen before the Oklahoma Constitution is amended. 

“Now that we have filed with the secretary of state and the attorney general, there’s a 10-day period where anyone can challenge the constitutionality of the language we used,” said Jed Green, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action director. “If there is no challenge, then the secretary can assign a date where we can collect signatures.”

Once that date is set, the group will then have 90 days to collect 178,000 signatures.

The number represents what is required for constitutional amendment is15% of the number of people who voted in the last gubernatorial race.

After the 90 days, the signatures will be turned in and verified before the governor will decide if it will go on the ballot.

If marijuana becomes legal, a new agency would have to be created and replace the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Agency.

That's a concern for opponents of the petition, but Green said it will not affect the program negatively.

“If it is passed, it will actually remove the excise tax that patients pay on their medical marijuana,” Green said. “So, it helps our patients there.”

News 9 reached out to the OMMA about the petition, but they were are unable to comment due to ethics statutes.

So far, 15 states have legalized recreational marijuana.