Oklahomans have another chance to vote on recreational marijuana legalization next month. Voices for and against are growing louder as the March 7 vote nears.

After the Supreme Court declined a lawsuit aimed at putting the measure on last fall’s vote, the Republican governor said. Kevin Stitt declared a special election that allowed Oklahomans to vote on the state question 820 in 2023.

Who is against?

Since then, many have opposed legalization, including Southern Baptists, who have expressed concern about “rapid advance and acceptance.” cannabis statewide after the midterms in November.

Just last week, a group of community, business and law enforcement leaders expressed their opposition to the legalization initiative in papers filed with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission earlier this week, Tulsa World reported.

The anti-marijuana organization — dubbed Protect Our Kids No 820 — is led by former Gov. Frank Keating.

“We just have to protect our children,” Keating said, adding that voters are unaware of the impact of approving the ballot measure. This state issue goes far beyond the voting summary that voters will see,” he said said.

“Just one example is that there is a hidden clause in this issue that specifically lowers the legal threshold for endangering children.

Other officials who have chosen to join the coalition, such as Rodd Moesel, have called the push to legalize marijuana a “reckless” move.

“Already out of control illegal marijuana cultivation is straining our state’s utilities and has brought organized crime and violence to rural areas,” Moesel told News 4. “It is reckless to even consider expanding access to marijuana .”

Even Chip Paul, who was behind efforts to legalize medical marijuana, doesn’t endorse SQ 820 because he says it’s poorly written.

Rec Cannabis could bring millions in public money, supporters say

The one behind the…