The coronavirus has impacted many countries and states in America. The virus has had a multi-million dollar impact on Oklahoma’s state budget and lawmakers are now considering recreational marijuana to fill the hole.
Representative Scott Fetgatter (R) Tulsa said job losses from COVID-19 coupled with low oil prices has left Oklahoma with more than $220 million in the red this year and another $250 million in the red next year.
“With the current situation with oil prices being down, COVID-19, the economic impacts from those things, I just am wondering if it wouldn’t be a good idea to have a discussion in the legislature about a full access program adult use over 21 alongside our medical program,” Fetgatter said.
Fetgatter’s plan would allow medical marijuana licenses holders to see a decrease in taxes.
“Colorado brought in $300 million in tax revenue and license fees last year in the state coffers,” Fetgatter remarked. “In the first year we legitimately could see $100 million a year in increases rendered to the state of Oklahoma.”
Senator Ron Sharp (R) of Shawnee is opposed to the idea and said recreational marijuana is a bad idea.
“When you have farmers overproducing, they’re going to want to sell that. When you have a dispensary that has too much marijuana they’re going to try to slip it out the backdoor,” Sharp said. “It’s just not a very feasible idea.”