Tina Jennings, a retired schoolteacher, mother and grandmother, says she doesn’t devour weed herself however intends to vote sure on Oklahoma’s State Query 820 (SQ80) on March 7 to legalize adult-use hashish.

“To me and plenty of different dad and mom, the legalization of leisure marijuana just isn’t about medication, it’s about placing our state on sounder financial footing, making wise legal guidelines that promote public security and constructing a extra simply state,” stated Jennings in The Oklahoman. 
Why? Jennings Has A number of Causes And Needs To Share Them

Oklahomans stand to realize from an unlimited inflow in new tax income. SQ 820 would place a 15% tax on leisure marijuana, which specialists say would generate over $100 million a 12 months in income when mixed with state and native taxes. 

“Everyone knows, and I witnessed firsthand after I was a trainer, that Oklahoma faculties are dangerously underfunded. Many academics are fleeing the occupation and our college students are paying the value. Oklahoma ranks within the backside six states for per-pupil spending on public schooling, and passing SQ 820 can throw our faculties and our college students a lifeline,” Jennings stated. “This isn’t some fantasy; we solely have to look subsequent door to see what we’re lacking out on as we speak. Since Colorado legalized marijuana greater than a decade in the past, its public faculties have obtained over half a billion {dollars} in further income from its marijuana tax.”
Not To Fear: Oklahoma’s Legalization Invoice Comes With Enough Rules

Jennings says she’s extra involved in regards to the lack of regulation than in regards to the hazard of marijuana itself. “SQ 820 will present complete guidelines and controls to make sure that marijuana is produced and offered in accordance with rigorous security pointers. Regulation will imply that marijuana is grown and offered by accountable businesspeople who verify IDs to confirm age.” Jennings identified that younger individuals will naturally be prohibited from shopping for weed and that SQ 820 will be certain that all marijuana offered in Oklahoma is correctly examined and never contaminated with different medication. 
Cease Pointless Arrests Of So Many Oklahomans

“I’m involved in regards to the hurt that an arrest for possession of a tiny quantity of marijuana can have on a teenager’s life. The present legal guidelines on marijuana have led to numerous younger adults being arrested and locked up,” she stated. “These should not drug kingpins we’re speaking about; they’re kids who’ve made a mistake. It’s truthful to carry them accountable for that mistake, however they need to not miss out on faculty or good jobs due to an arrest file associated to an exercise that has been decriminalized in giant elements of the nation.”

Jennings concluded with a reminder that the states, which have already legalized medical and leisure marijuana over the previous 10 years haven’t seen will increase in teen use, and their residents have reaped the advantages from plentiful new tax revenues. 

“Oklahoma shouldn’t be left behind. We should always seize the chance SQ 820 offers to generate desperately wanted new income for our public faculties, enhance public well being and security by means of wise laws, and cut back pointless arrests and incarcerations,” Jennings concluded.