Oklahoma could benefit from Texas tourists if marijuana legalization ballot measure passes

(MENAFN) Texans who regularly travel across the Red River to enjoy the casinos and natural attractions of southern Oklahoma may soon have another reason to visit the state. Oklahoma is set to vote on a ballot measure on Tuesday that would legalize recreational marijuana use for adults aged 21 and above.

The conservative state already has one of the most comprehensive medical marijuana programs in the country, and industry proponents hope that the potential influx of Texas consumers will provide a boost to a market that is currently saturated.

The organizer of State Question 820, Ryan Kiesel, says that the measure will help sell legal, regulated, and taxed marijuana to Texans, and the tax revenue will be invested in Oklahoma's education and healthcare sectors.

According to an economic impact study sponsored by the cannabis industry, if the measure passes, recreational sales in Oklahoma are projected to increase by USD1.8 billion from 2024 to 2028, generating approximately USD434 million in excise tax revenue. The study also revealed that Texas would contribute the largest number of out-of-state consumers, followed by Arkansas and Kansas.

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