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Oklahomans start voting this week on whether to expand marijuana use in the Sooner state. Early voting begins Thursday, March 2, at county election boards across the state. SQ#820, if approved, would allow recreational use of pot for those over 21. Advocates contend the state is losing millions of dollars in tax revenue by not taxing dopehead use. They say the tax from recreational use could be used to “help the children.” Currently only medical use of weed is legal in Oklahoma. Three observations: First, every sin tax Oklahoma passed in the last 40 years was done to ‘help the children.” Liquor by the drink, parimutuel horse track betting, the state lottery, and casino gambling all were marketed/peddled to Okies as vehicles to provide more money for education. The tax revenue windfall from each was supposed to improve Oklahoma children’s quality of life by making them healthy, wealthy and wise. Never mind the aforementioned did major damage to Oklahoma families by promoting addictive activities. A strategy to smoke, drink and gamble the way to prosperity seems foolhardy, irresponsible, and bad public policy. Most of the time the tax revenue from ‘sin’ tax is a net loss to a community. According to the National Highway Safety Administration, in states where pot has been legalized for recreational use, fatal traffic accidents attributed to DUIs associated with pot have skyrocketed. The only high drivers we need in Oklahoma are those driving up Mt. Scott.
