State Question 820, to allow recreational use of marijuana, was soundly defeated in Oklahoma with a state wide vote showing 38.33% for and 61.67% against on Tuesday, March 7.  These are preliminary unofficial numbers from the State Election Board with 100% of the vote tabulated.  The certification process takes time.

The state question was voted down in every county in Oklahoma.  The narrowest of margins came in Oklahoma County with a vote of 49.99% for and 50.01% against.  The largest margin was in Major County with 15.27% for and 84.73 against.

Tulsa County unofficially voted down the question with 46.41% for and  53.49% against.

Statewide there were 566,362 votes in total, with 217,078 against and 349,284 against the measure.

Leaders from the Oklahoma Public Safety Coalition issued the following statements reacting to the overwhelming defeat of State Question 820.

“The voters of Oklahoma spoke with an overwhelming, clear voice tonight. Despite out of state interests sinking millions of dollars into our state, the voters made clear that our children should be protected and that organized crime syndicates are not welcome in Oklahoma,” said Rogers, Craig, and Mayes County District Attorney Matt Ballard who is currently serving as Oklahoma District Attorneys Association President.

“The voters want a return to law and order in the state of Oklahoma. Once again, a so called ‘criminal justice reform’ state question has failed by a shocking margin in our state. We will continue to advocate for smart policy, but the will of the people is clear- we must never sacrifice public safety,” said Logan County Sheriff and Oklahoma Sheriffs Association President Damon Devereaux.

“It is a great day for our state and for the future of our children,” said current President of OACP, Chief James Smith of the Lawton Police Department.

Pat McFerron, Protect Our Kids NO 820., commented “We are obviously pleased with the results. We think this sends a clear message that Oklahomans oppose the unfettered access to marijuana we have experienced under our so-called medical program. Voters clearly want to protect our children, crack down on organized crime, and improve the mental health of those in our state.”  Protect Our Kids NO 820, was a committee formed to raise the NO vote on state question 820 and was chaired by former Gov. Frank Keating.

Gov. Kevin Stitt responded to the defeat saying, “Oklahomans rejected State Question 820. I believe this is the best thing to keep our kids safe and for our state as a whole. Oklahoma is a law and order state. I remain committed to protecting Oklahomans and my administration will continue to hold bad actors accountable and crack down on illegal marijuana operations in our state.”

Attorney General Gentner Drummond, reacting to the defeat, commented, “I’m proud of Oklahomans for rejecting the expansion of organized crime by defeating State Question 820. Regardless of where one stands on the question of marijuana legalization, the stark reality is that organized crime from China and Mexico has infiltrated Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry. I will continue to focus on this serious threat to public safety by targeting the illegal grow operations throughout our state.”

From the Vote Yes on 820 campaign there was this response, “We didn’t get State Question 820 across the finish line last night, but the fact remains that marijuana legalization is not a question of ‘if;’ it’s a question of ‘when.’

“Our mission from the very start was about making a more prosperous, just, and safer Oklahoma. We are moms and dads who want more revenue in our schools, more resources for law enforcement, and more jobs and investment in communities across the state. Unfortunately, last night we fell short.

“We will continue to advocate for change and we are confident that, sooner rather than later, change will come, as it has in 21 other states.”