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.

However, Oklahoma City and its inhabitants are also exposed to certain challenges and dangers due to the elevated rate of marijuana purchases. One of these is the possibility that cannabis abuse and addiction will increase, particularly among vulnerable populations and young people.

The National Institute on Drug Abuse reports that cannabis use, particularly during adolescence, can impair cognitive functions such as learning, attention, and memory. Additionally, individuals with a history of trauma or a genetic predisposition to anxiety, depression, and psychosis may be more susceptible to developing these conditions through cannabis use. Education regarding the potential negative effects of cannabis use, as well as the provision of effective treatment and prevention services for those in need, are therefore crucial.

The absence of regulation and standardization of cannabis products sold in the state is an additional obstacle. Oklahoma, in contrast to other states that have legalized marijuana for medical or recreational purposes, lacks a system of mandatory testing or labeling for cannabis products. As a result, consumers are devoid of dependable knowledge regarding the safety, potency, and integrity of the cannabis products they purchase.

Such circumstances may result in unintended overdoses, unfavorable reactions, or contamination with heavy metals, pesticides, or fungi. To protect the health and well-being of consumers and to assure the quality and safety of cannabis products, it is crucial that the state implement a rigorous and consistent testing and labeling system.

To conclude

The city of Oklahoma City is a cannabis paradise. As a result of its accessible and affordable medical marijuana program, its progressive and tolerant stance toward cannabis legalization, and its vibrant and diverse cannabis culture, it has the highest reefer purchase rate in the nation. Nonetheless, there are obstacles and dangers associated with this, including the possibility of increased cannabis abuse and addiction, as well as the absence of regulation and standardization of cannabis products. Achieving a balance between the advantages and disadvantages of Oklahoma City’s cannabis community and encouraging its residents to use cannabis responsibly and with knowledge are crucial objectives.