Marijuana is legal for medical use in Oklahoma, but it is not legal for recreational use. In 2018, Oklahoma voters approved a ballot initiative that legalized medical marijuana for patients with qualifying medical conditions, such as cancer, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, and chronic pain. Under the law, patients can obtain medical marijuana with a recommendation from a licensed physician and a state-issued medical marijuana card. However, possession of marijuana for recreational use remains illegal in Oklahoma, and those found in violation of the law can face criminal charges and penalties. It’s also important to note that there are still restrictions on where and when medical marijuana can be consumed, and driving under the influence of marijuana is illegal.
If you’re from Oklahoma or spend any time there, chances are you’ve heard someone say something along the lines of “I’m from Oklahoma” when they mean to say “I live in Oklahoma.” Even though we call ourselves a state, our politics, economy, and social norms differ vastly from most other places in America.
This also applies to marijuana laws. While Colorado, Washington, Oregon, Alaska, California, Nevada, Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, Delaware, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Montana, Florida, Michigan, Tennessee, Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Dakota, Kansas, Idaho, South Carolina, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Indiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and Kentucky have fully legalized pot possession, only two states — Oklahoma and Texas — still consider it illegal.
It’s not surprising, considering how conservative this red-leaning area is. A massive chunk of its population belongs to the Tea Party Alliance (the largest group with over 100 chapters across the US) or the Republican party itself. Both groups tend to be staunch anti-pot advocates.
No politician who runs on an independent ticket has ever succeeded here, but that could change soon.
But back to the topic at hand. Things aren’t great if you’re looking to get high legally in Oklahoma. We’ll explore why below.
Since laws keep changing rapidly, making things a bit confusing sometimes, check out our friends at DISA to see a complete map of every state. They have information on what is legal, medical use, recreational use, and everything else.
What’s The Deal With Pot (In) Oklahoma
According to recent reports, less than half of Oklahomans believe marijuana should remain illegal. That number was up from just 40 percent last year, which means more people support legalization than oppose it.
Still, if you want to fly under the radar while buying your bud online, don’t expect too much help from local law enforcement. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), federal agents won’t bother busting someone for selling marijuana online unless it crosses state borders into another state where it remains illegal. So keep that in mind before ordering some good shit.
As recently as 2014, lawmakers were trying to pass legislation that would make using and possessing small amounts of cannabis punishable by up to five years behind bars. They even attempted to retroactively apply harsher sentencing guidelines to anyone convicted of non-violent drug crimes before passage. Thankfully, these measures failed.
On top of that, voters will likely see several ballot initiatives to legalize marijuana during their next election cycle. One such measure, Question 420, seeks to legalize medicinal and recreational marijuana sales. However, according to Ballotpedia, the campaign needs roughly $3 million by May 24 to qualify for inclusion on November’s general election ballots.
Most Oklahomans seem interested in making recreational marijuana available to them. Polling conducted by Gallup shows that 59% of Oklahomans think marijuana should be legalized nationwide, compared to 33% who disagree.
Only 11% weren’t sure. Conversely, 65% of respondents agreed that police need better resources to fight the black market for illicit substances like cocaine and heroin. Again, however, 37% disagreed.
The numbers show that more Oklahomans favor legalization than the opposition. Those results may skew slightly toward prohibitionists due to sampling error. Still, it’s worth noting that many of those surveyed didn’t consume marijuana themselves.
Regardless, given time, the tide seems set to turn in Oklahoma and elsewhere. States that already allow marijuana access via dispensaries include Illinois, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Wisconsin, Washington DC, and the District of Columbia.
When it comes to alcohol, however, things are pretty different. Just 8 out of 50 states classify booze as totally against the law. Meanwhile, 21 conditions permit the sale of wine and beer without restriction. Sixteen states allow limited home brewing for personal consumption, while nine have total homebrew bans.
How Much Can You Possession Without Getting Arrested?
You might wonder whether you can possess a little bit of marijuana without getting arrested. Unfortunately, yes, kind of. After all, isn’t this supposed to be a felony offense nowadays?
Despite decriminalizing marijuana possession in 2016, the state legislature hasn’t done anything to loosen restrictions around it. So sure, you can technically take tiny nuggets of Mary Jane without fear of prosecution. But the cops can arrest you nonetheless.
While it varies depending on where you live, the average sentence length for first-time offenders who test positive for THC ranges between 6 months and one year. Even worse, repeat offenses typically result in sentences lasting 2 to 5 years. These harsh punishments come after multiple warnings and tickets are issued to defendants.
There are ways to lessen the blow, however. First, try pleading guilty to lesser charges like misdemeanor possession instead of a felony. Secondly, avoid committing additional crimes unrelated to marijuana. Finally, find yourself a solid criminal defense lawyer. The latter option may cost upwards of $1,000 per month, so be prepared to pay cash if necessary.
In short, it sucks being caught smoking weed. But it will probably suck way more if you end up serving prison time. So please don’t risk it. Instead, do everything possible to stay clean. For example, stay away from public parks, drive responsibly, follow basic rules of etiquette, etc.
Where To Buy Weed Online Safely
Nowadays, online shops offer plenty of options for purchasing weed in the comfort of your own home. Whether you prefer edibles, concentrates, or plants, you can easily order whatever product best fits your current tolerance level.
However, it’s important to note one thing. Since cannabis remains federally illegal, it’s challenging to track down quality products that haven’t been adulterated with pesticides, herbicides, or fillers. Furthermore, finding trustworthy sellers can prove challenging. Not every site offers secure encryption, meaning third parties could potentially steal information sent through unsecured connections.
Fortunately, some sites specialize in offering safe delivery services. We found Kush Queen, Bud Depot, High Times Market Place, Bloom Farms, and Canna Care among the safest options. All four cater exclusively to quality weed products straight to customers’ doorsteps.
The State Of Recreational Cannabis Right Now
Recreational marijuana usage is illegal everywhere except in 10 US jurisdictions: Arkansas, Colo., Guam, Hawaiʻi, Illinois, Maine, Montanakana, Nevada, Oregon, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. Many others have passed laws allowing certain forms of recreational weed, but none have gone the whole way yet.
Meanwhile, medical marijuana users enjoy far greater acceptance throughout the nation. Roughly 58% of Americans think marijuana should be regulated similarly to alcohol, with 42% saying otherwise.
Of course, cannabis reform doesn’t happen overnight. Dedicated grassroots activism takes decades to achieve tangible progress like any politically sensitive issue. Fortunately, 2018 is shaping to be a big year for activists pushing for marijuana legalization.
One specific initiative seeking to overturn prohibition is SAFE (Save Alcohol From Exploitation). Its goal is simple enough: legalize the production, distribution, and consumption of alcohol within each state. Currently, nothing stops private citizens from growing their booze or creating microbreweries. Likewise, national liquor companies can freely distribute their products wherever they choose.
SAFE hopes to fix that problem once and for all. Once approved, this proposal would create a new industry comprised of three branches: producers, distributors, and retailers. Members would then be allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages directly from businesses rather than retail stores.
At least one prominent activist thinks this plan is a societal step forward. Former House Speaker John Boehner told CNBC he believes repealing Federal Prohibition is “inevitable,” saying, “States Rights [will] win eventually because it makes sense.” He added that he preferred to replace Federal prohibition with regulation but admitted that’s unlikely to occur anytime soon.
So What Does This Mean For Your Okie Bummer Buddy?
Unless you live in a state where marijuana possession is wholly decriminalized, you shouldn’t worry about breaking any significant laws regarding weed. You’d receive a ticket, fine, or jail time at worst. Nobody cares until you start causing trouble, regardless of your stance on legalization.
And the same goes for medical marijuana patients. Though many argue that cannabis helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic illnesses, you’re free to treat yourself accordingly if you stick to low doses and reputable vendors.
Finally, remember to educate yourself on recreational marijuana laws in your region.
