Recreational marijuana could add $100 million for Oklahoma's virus-shattered budget, lawmaker says [View all]

Recreational marijuana could add $100 million for Oklahoma's virus-shattered budget, lawmaker says of new proposal


An Oklahoma lawmaker confirmed he will begin work on a bill that would allow adult use of recreational cannabis, saying the idea is "worth exploring" especially in light of sustained economic downtown during the COVID-19 emergency.

In making the announcement, Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, signaled his belief that petitions for state questions 807 and 811 — which both seek to legalize recreational use — will be unsuccessful.

"It's very early in the conversation," Fetgatter told the Tulsa World on Tuesday afternoon. "What's important to me is to make sure we have a program that functions. A lot of people didn't like medical marijuana, and they may not like marijuana, period. I understand that. But it is here and is not going anywhere."

He said if the Legislature agrees to present a full-access bill to Gov. Kevin Stitt, it could "potentially be a revenue funder" for the state as a revenue failure has already been forecast related to the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more: https://www.tulsaworld.com/news/local/marijuana/recreational-marijuana-could-add-100-million-for-oklahomas-virus-shattered-budget-lawmaker-says-of-new/article_daa66d98-3beb-5a75-a59b-9400db68dda8.html