Oklahoma farmer voices concerns on legalizing recreation marijuana
Oklahomans living next to marijuana farms said these grows put strains on residents in the area.
Oklahomans living next to marijuana farms said these grows put strains on residents in the area.
Oklahomans living next to marijuana farms said these grows put strains on residents in the area.
Oklahomans living next to marijuana farms said these grows put strains on residents in the area.
As Oklahomans prepare to vote on State Question 820, which would legalize recreational marijuana in the state, one farmer explained why she would be voting against the state question.
Cara Gerken, a farmer who owns Gerken's Barn, said she raises cattle and grows vegetables in her greenhouses. But her neighbors work on a different kind of crop.
“These are our neighbors that moved in about the 2019-2020 era. And they put up 10 grow processing shed facilities here behind us," Gerken said.
Gerken said her neighbors grow marijuana, which takes up a lot of water.
“Kinda impacts the way that our rural water works sometimes," Gerken said. "The amount and the flow of rural water that we get."
Supporters of State Question 820 said they recognize these concerns.
“A new industry in anywhere in rural Oklahoma, there are going to be infrastructure issues," said Michelle Tilley, who is part of the Yes on 820 campaign. "We’re going to have to get better at.”
Farmers said they are also forced to buy more expensive pesticides.
“We have to change the grade that we use to be good neighbors and make sure that we’re not using something that is detrimental to their crops," Gerken said.
Gerken said some of her neighbors have even been driven off because of the grow.
“Had one gentleman that sold his property and moved to town so that he didn’t have to be close to it," Gerken said.
Supporters of the state question said there are more positives than negatives when it comes to legalizing recreational marijuana. However, Gerken had a plea for Oklahomans.
“It all worries me. It all concerns me very much, and I ask my fellow Oklahomans to push pause," Gerken said.
Early voting has wrapped up in the state, and Oklahomans' last chance to vote on the question is Tuesday.
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