As legalized marijuana consumption has increased across the nation, a number of trends are becoming more apparent. Retailers have noticed a surge in sales over the Thanksgiving weekend. In fact, the day before Thanksgiving has been dubbed “Green Wednesday.” Data confirms this observation, and Green Wednesday is now the second largest day for legal sales in the nation, just behind the official marijuana holiday of April 20, or “fourtwenty,” cannabis culture slang for marijuana usage.

It appears many in Seminole County observed “Green Wednesday.” According to the December monthly report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC), medical marijuana sales increased in SEMINOLE COUNTY between October and November. This includes increases in both the City of Seminole and in Wewoka.

Tax revenue brought in a total of $48,572.79 to Seminole County during the month of November. This was $2,737.50 more than the $45,835.29 that was collected in the previous month.

This increase in revenue follows a decrease last month.

Marijuana sales are subject to state and local taxes, just like any other commercial product. Likewise, sales tax revenue funds are returned to the local City, County and State entities where they were collected. The latest report shows collections from November.

The December OTC report shows the total for Seminole County included $15,915.40 collected in City/County tax and $14,775.21 collected in State tax for a combined total of $30,690.61 in local and state sales tax.

The Oklahoma Medical MarijuanaAuthority (OMMA) does not receive sales tax money. The OMMA website explains that, instead, SQ 788 authorized a 7% excise tax on retail sales of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products - sales from dispensaries to patients. This revenue goes first to OMMA’s authorized budget. Then, 75% of the revenue from excise tax collections goes into the State’s general revenue, and can only be spent for common education, while the other 25% of excess revenue is apportioned to OSDH and earmarked for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and prevention.

The December (November) total for Seminole County included $17,882.18 in excise tax that was collected within the county. These funds are included with the City/County and State taxes to reach the total of $48,572.79 collected in Seminole County.

When the Oklahoma Tax Commission first began reporting on the amount of sales and excise tax collected by Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority in November 2018, Seminole County was not included.

When the report first began including Seminole County in February 2019, the report showed the totals for Seminole County as well as sub-totals from the Cities of Seminole, Wewoka, and Konawa. Shortly after that, the report was reduced to the total for Seminole County and details from the Cities of Seminole and Wewoka only.

The December report shows that the City of Seminole generated $45,428.80 of the tax revenue that was returned to Seminole County. This was $1,914.13 more than last month’s return of $43,514.67.

This month’s return included $14,780.07 in city/county taxes and $13,989.21 in state tax for a total of $28,769.28. An additional $16,659.52 in excise tax brought the total to $45,428.80. The December report shows that the City of Wewoka generated $3,143.99 in marijuana tax revenue, $823.37 more than last month’s $2,320.62 return.

This month’s Wewoka return included $1,135.33 in city/county taxes and $786.00 in State tax plus $1,222.66 in excise tax.

Statewide tax revenue generated by marijuana sales totaled $13,916,757.67 for Oklahoma, according to the Dec. (Nov.) report. This was $1,286,857.82 more than last month’s $12,629,899.85 total. This included $5,181,765.76 in total city and county taxes plus $5,285,589.19 in total state taxes for a total of $10,467,354.95 combined, plus $3,449,402.72 in excise taxes to reach the $13,916,757.67 overall grand total.

Oklahoma voters authorized the state’s medical marijuana program in 2018 with their approval of State Question 788. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) was created as the regulatory agency for the state’s medical marijuana program. OMMA was part of the Oklahoma State Department of Health until October 31, 2022. It became an independent state agency on Nov. 1, 2022, when SB 1543 took effect.