Yes on 820 Campaign Celebrates Ballot Victory, Disappointed Politics and Delay Will Deny Oklahomans a Vote Th

The Oklahoma Supreme Court settled the final challenges to the petition for State Question 820, which will legalize recreational marijuana in Oklahoma. The Court also upheld the Attorney General’s version of the ballot title, rejecting the two challenges to it. This marks the end of the petition phase for the state question, and means SQ 820 is going to a vote of the people in Oklahoma. The Court did not, however, grant the request of the Yes on 820 campaign to place SQ 820 on the November 2022 ballot. Due to the unreasonable delay in counting by the Secretary of State’s office, the Yes on 820 campaign had asked the court to intervene.

• Quote: “Of course we are disappointed that the Court did not grant our request to place SQ 820 on the November 2022 ballot. It is disappointing that the Secretary of State’s unqualified vendor, combined with rival amateur campaigns and political special interest groups, delayed the process, thereby preventing Oklahomans from voting on this in November. However, we cannot lose sight of how far we have come. This is a big deal. Now the petition phase is finished, and Oklahomans WILL be voting on whether to legalize recreational marijuana here, and we can soon realize the tax revenue and other benefits it will bring to our State,” said Campaign Director Michelle Tilley.

What Happens Next: State Question 820 is now eligible for a vote by the people of Oklahoma. The Governor of Oklahoma can choose to set a special election at any time for SQ 820. If the Governor fails to take action, SQ 820 will automatically be voted on in the general election of November 2024.

• Quote: “To the thousands of people working on this effort, we say thank you and congratulations on a hard fought battle. We started this effort in 2019, and have faced a global pandemic, rival initiatives, an extremely fast signature gathering effort, inept government vendors, and challenges from corporate political special interests…but despite it all, due to your hard work and persistence, we have helped make the voices of Oklahomans heard. SQ 820 will be on a future ballot!” said Senior Campaign Advisor Ryan Kiesel. Once enacted, State Question 820 will:

• Legalize, regulate, and tax cannabis production for adults ages 21 and over.

• Increase state and local funding for schools, healthcare, and other critical services.

• Protect the public health and safety of all Oklahomans. • Provide common sense criminal justice reform and expungement for low-level marijuana offenses.

• Defend the rights and civil liberties of patients and adult consumers.

• Increase revenue for existing, fully compliant medical marijuana businesses with limited licensing opportunities for the program’s first two years.