Tina Jennings, a retired teacher, mother, and grandmother, says she doesn’t use weed herself but intends to vote yes on Oklahoma’s State Question 820 (SQ80) on March 7 to legalize cannabis for adults.
“For me and many other parents, legalizing recreational marijuana isn’t about drugs, it’s about putting our state on a stronger economic footing, making sound laws that promote public safety, and building a fairer state.” , said Jennings in The Oklahoman.
Why? Jennings has several reasons and wants to share them
Oklahomans will benefit from a huge influx of new tax revenue. SQ 820 would tax recreational marijuana at a rate of 15%, which experts say combined with state and local taxes would generate over $100 million in revenue per year.
“We all know, and I’ve seen it firsthand as a teacher, that Oklahoma schools are dangerously underfunded. Many teachers are fleeing the profession and our students are paying the price. Oklahoma ranks in the bottom six states in spending per student on public education, and passing SQ 820 can throw a lifeline to our schools and our students,” Jennings said. “This is not fantasy; we just have to look next door to see what we’re missing today. Since Colorado legalized marijuana more than a decade ago, its public schools have received over half a billion dollars in additional revenue from its marijuana tax.”
Don’t worry: Oklahoma’s legalization law has sufficient provisions
Jennings says she’s more concerned about the lack of regulation than the dangers of marijuana itself. “SQ 820 will provide comprehensive rules and controls to ensure marijuana is produced and sold in accordance with strict safety guidelines. Regulation means marijuana is grown and sold by responsible business people who check IDs to verify age.” Jennings noted that young people will of course be banned from buying weed and that SQ 820 will ensure that everyone Marijuana…