By Samantha Lewis

Restaurants, bars, airlines, oil, and gas have all been through tough times in the past year. The coronavirus pandemic has found its way through the US economy and into the hands of the public health system ravaging almost everything in its path.

One industry in Oklahoma that was able to outperform almost all major industries during the 2020 covid pandemic was medical marijuana.

Overall, Dr. Williams said, OMMA has raised $50 million from the 7% excise tax this year, more than double what it raised in 2019. Vendors bring in between $1.5 million and $2.1 million in excise taxes in each city, according to the state

"Really taking a look at the tax numbers over that time, climbed really steadily, and reached a peak of $5.5 million in that excise tax collection in June of 2020," Dr. Kelly WIlliams interim Director at the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority said. "Just a year before, in June of 2019, we only had $2.1 million in excise tax collection." Overall, Dr. Williams said, OMMA has raised $50 million from the 7% excise tax this year, more than double what it raised in 2019. Vendors bring in between $1.5 million and $2.1 million in excise taxes in each city, according to the state. This has led to a discussion amongst lawmakers who are enticed by the great economic relief that excise tax through recreational marijuana may provide.