OKLAHOMA CITY (OP) – An Oklahoma City-based restaurant
chain is asking the state legislature to legalize marijuana, noting that habitual
users of the drug find the company’s products “hella-tasty.”
Sonic, which bills itself as “America’s Drive-In,” serves up hamburgers
and hotdogs in hundreds of locations around the country.
Executives say the
company’s products are especially popular among those with “the munchies,”
a side effect of marijuana intoxication.
In a presentation before the House Business and Economic Development
Committee, Sonic executives said statewide legalization of the drug
would boost sales throughout the industry, from McNuggets to Taco Mayo’s
“bitchin’” potato locos.
In a recent study, Sonic customers who did not use marijuana rated
their food from “fair” to “excellent.” However, users with the munchies said
the same products were “friggin’ awesome dude.”
Habitual marijuana users, also known as “stoners,” are also less concerned
with customer service. They also have little use for napkins, straws
and correct change.
According to Sonic estimates, stoners currently comprise only 10 percent
of the company’s customers, yet account for 40 percent of sales. They
also form 70 percent of the company’s workforce, primarily line cooks and
night managers.
Last year, Sonic was believed to donate millions in campaign contributions.
An exact amount was unavailable, however, since much of the special
interest money was covered in chili and cheese.
