Tulsa Regional Chamber opposes SQ 820

The Tulsa Regional Chamber has joined the State Chamber of Oklahoma, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber, the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt in opposing State Question 820, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults 21 and over. SQ 820 will go before voters on March 7.

In 2018, Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana through SQ 788. At the time of its implementation, the state possessed one of the most lenient permitting processes in the nation, and a regulatory environment that has needed to be strengthened by the legislature multiple times since. Many Oklahomans are voicing similar concerns for SQ 820. Legalization of recreational marijuana without proper enforcement and regulatory measures in place could bring serious risks to Oklahomans. 

Opponents also point out challenges with zoning, water and land use, and inconsistencies between federal and state law. SQ 820 states that no contracts shall be unenforceable on the basis that marijuana is prohibited by federal law. This could lead to a confusing legal landscape surrounding the difference between federal and state law on this issue.

SQ 820 also risks further worsening the workforce shortage that Oklahoma businesses are currently facing. It threatens the capacity for workers to operate critical equipment safely and complicates workforce and talent acquisition for businesses.

“The Tulsa Regional Chamber believes it would be unwise to further expand marijuana under SQ 820 when Oklahoma is already suffering from serious regulatory and enforcement challenges within the current medical marijuana program," said Tom Biolchini, chairman of Vast Bank and 2023 chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber.

“The number one problem facing Oklahoma businesses right now is filling their workforce needs," said Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber. "We have consistently heard from our members that SQ 820 will add more hurdles to this process and will make it harder to hire the necessary workforce to continue the economic growth our region has been experiencing.”