In March of this year, voters in Oklahoma will determine whether or not to legalize marijuana for recreational use throughout the state.
Pastor Garry McDevitt of Prue’s First Baptist Church has been organizing his congregation and the community at large to send letters and petitions on his behalf.
A vote to remove the question from the ballot is something they want to achieve with the governor.
McDevitt expressed concern about the ease with which marijuana was accessible to minors. As one teacher put it, “Kids do that or are caught doing that every day in our little small school.”
Should State Question 820 be approved by Oklahoma voters, those over the age of 21 would be able to legally purchase and use marijuana in the Sooner State.
Proponents of marijuana legalization argue that it will free prisoners currently serving time for marijuana possession.
“You can go to the corner store and buy a bottle of wine, yet you might have your life utterly devastated for possessing just a tiny bit of marijuana,” explained Michelle Tilley of Yes On 820.
According to Tilley, the state’s economy would benefit from the millions if marijuana were legalized.
Tilley stated, “We’ve got forecasts showing tens of millions of dollars in new tax dollars coming in in the first year.”
McDevitt, though, claims the tax revenue isn’t worth the risks associated with having marijuana in schools.
McDevitt argues that the risks posed by marijuana to society cannot be justified by the potential financial benefits of legalization.
He thinks it’s important for people to think carefully about the issue and the history of marijuana legalization before making up their minds.
McDevitt advised, “Do the research, find out for yourself.” “But judge it on its stated contents rather than your own interpretation of them.”
On March 7, Oklahomans will go to the polls to vote on whether or not to legalize marijuana.
