Oklahoma's Attorney General Weighs In On State Question 820 Failure

Oklahomans overwhelmingly voted against State Question 820, which would have legalized recreational marijuana.

It failed with almost 62% of voters being against the legalization of recreational marijuana.

Oklahoma's Attorney General Gentner Drummond agrees with the majority.

“I think what the voter turnout illustrates is we have had enough of the lawlessness associated with the medical marijuana industry and when we look at the heat map rural Oklahoma said 'no more,’” Drummond said.

The vote comes almost five years after Oklahomans voted to legalize medical marijuana.

Drummond said medical marijuana’s legalization created problems across parts of the state.

"There are good and honest retailers and there are good and honest grow operators, but there is a whole bunch of illegal operators that has changed the face of rural Oklahoma,” Drummond said.

People who supported legalizing recreational marijuana said it would have generated millions in tax revenue for Oklahoma, But Drummond was far more concerned by a potential rise in crime and other drug use.

"The marijuana is not really the issue, it's the distribution network with the human trafficking, sex trafficking, opioids, fentanyl, it's everywhere and we have to abate that,” Drummond said.

According to the State Election Board, 25.35% of registered voters turned out to vote on State Question 820.