The state of Oklahoma has been very open to medical marijuana. Medical cannabis became legal in the state in 2018, and since then there have been a lot more clients and shops. At the end of October 2023, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said that there were more than 380,000 active patient licenses and more than 10,000 active business licenses. But which place in Oklahoma has the most people buying marijuana than any other city in the country?
Oklahoma City has the most cannabis users in the country
A study from Verilife, a national cannabis dispensary chain, says that Oklahoma City has the highest rate of cannabis use per person in the country. Based on information from the U.S. Census Bureau, the Marijuana Policy Project, and other sources, the study said that the average adult in Oklahoma City uses 155.9 grams of cannabis a year, which is about 5.5 ounces.The average in the US is 76.3 grams per year, so this is more than twice that.
The study also found that among the top 10 cities with the highest rates of cannabis use, Oklahoma City has the lowest prices. An ounce of high-quality cannabis costs $341.50 on average in Oklahoma City, which is less than the $358.67 average across the country. This means that people who live in Oklahoma City spend less money on cannabis than people who live in Denver, Portland, and Seattle, which all have high cannabis use rates.
Why does Oklahoma City like weed so much?
More than one thing might be to blame for the high number of people who buy marijuana in Oklahoma City. And one of them is how easy it is to get legal marijuana in the state. Oklahoma has one of the most open medical marijuana programs in the country. There aren’t many requirements to get registered, and people with a lot of different diseases can get medical marijuana. A medical marijuana card is available to anyone 18 or older with a legal prescription from a doctor. It only costs $100 and is good for two years. Patients can also have as much weed as they want and grow as much as they want.
One more thing is that weed is accepted in Oklahoma’s culture and society. Even though Oklahoma is a generally conservative state, it has taken a progressive stance on legalizing and reforming cannabis. With 56.8% of the vote, people in 2018 passed State Question 788, which made medical marijuana legal. State Question 807, a proposal to legalize marijuana for recreational use, got enough signatures to go on the 2020 ballot, but the COVID-19 pandemic pushed it back. A study done by SoonerPoll in 2020, however, showed that 60% of Oklahomans still wanted marijuana to be legalized for recreational use.
What are the pros and cons of the cannabis scene in Oklahoma City?
The high number of people who buy marijuana in Oklahoma City is both good and bad for the city and the state. In one way, the cannabis industry’s growth has brought Oklahoma a lot of money and business possibilities. The Oklahoma Tax Commission says that medical marijuana taxes brought in more than $127 million for the state in fiscal year 2021, which finished on June 30, 2021.
The state’s general fund gets this money. It pays for a lot of different public services and programs, like schools, hospitals, and roads. The cannabis business has also made the local economy stronger and created thousands of jobs, especially in rural areas where dispensaries and growers are located.
On the other hand, the high rate of buying weed also comes with some problems and risks for Oklahoma City and its people. One of them is the chance that cannabis abuse and addiction will get worse, especially among teens and other sensitive groups.
The National Institute on Drug Abuse says that using cannabis can hurt the brain, especially if it is used during youth. For example, it can make it harder to remember things, learn new things, and pay attention. People who use cannabis are also more likely to have mental health issues like anxiety, sadness, and psychosis. This is especially true for people who are genetically more likely to have these issues or who have been through a traumatic event in the past. So, it’s important to teach people about the bad things that can happen when they use cannabis and make sure that people who need it can get the help they need.
The lack of rules and standards for the cannabis goods sold in the state is another problem. Oklahoma does not require cannabis goods to be tested or labeled like some other states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational use do. This means that people who buy cannabis products don’t have good knowledge about how strong, pure, or safe those products are.
People may accidentally take too much, have bad responses, or be exposed to harmful substances like heavy metals, pesticides, mold, or mold. To protect the health and well-being of consumers and make sure the quality and safety of cannabis goods in the state, it is important to set up a strong and consistent testing and labeling system.
In conclusion
People in Oklahoma City really like weed. It has the highest rate of weed purchases in the country because its medical marijuana program is easy to get to and doesn’t cost much. Its attitude toward legalizing cannabis is also modern and tolerant, and its cannabis culture is lively and varied. But this also comes with some problems and risks, like the fact that cannabis goods aren’t regulated or standardized and the chance that more people will abuse or become addicted to cannabis. So, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons of Oklahoma City’s cannabis scene and encourage people to use cannabis in a smart and responsible way.