It has amazed me how quickly CBD and cannabis dispensaries have spread in Oklahoma. Twenty years ago I was similarly amazed by the rapid growth of the casino industry in Oklahoma. But every time I drive across the Red River I'm surprised by the Sooner State's fast embrace of "medical" marijuana. Ironically, while we were in Oklahoma last week, the New York Times featured an article about Oklahoma's new marijuana economy. The rapid rise of this industry has created some serious issues in the state.
Personally, I believe that if alcohol is legal it's hard to argue against pot legalization. I personally believe it's a dangerous habit to start, associated with all kinds of negative physical issues but pot seems no more dangerous than alcohol. I could be wrong. Still, it seems you can find a cannabis shop on every block in Oklahoma. That didn't surprise me when I saw that phenomenon in Fort Collins, Colorado 15 years ago. But in a red, law and order, conservative state like Oklahoma? Very surprising.
