Vote NO on SQ #788 on June 26th!

Weekly Opinion Editorial

SQ #788 A BAD IDEA!

by Steve Fair

     The countdown to the primary is now at 20 days.  June 26^th will be here before we know it.  Automobile dealership ads on every television news program in Oklahoma have been displaced by political ads for statewide candidates- at least those who have the money to run them.  With so many voters undecided, who knows whether the ads will work on not.  But it’s not just candidates on the primary ballot.  On the primary ballot, Oklahomans will vote on State Question #788, which if approved would allow so-called medical marijuana use in the Sooner state.

     First, the language in SQ  #788 is such that it is not clear it would legalize only medical marijuana.  The reason the issue is on the ballot is because  a group that include former State Representative Joe Dorman circulated an initiative petition to get it on the ballot.  The group claims that a majority of Oklahomans support legalizing pot for medical use.  Dr. Jean R. Hausheer, the president of the Oklahoma state medical association, said at a recent forum SQ #788 has issues and has too many loopholes.  While acknowledging that marijuana does help with chronic pain, she said it came with possible addiction issues. 

     If SQ # 788 were approved, Oklahomans who gained a license could consume pot legally, possess up to three ounces of marijuana, and four and half pounds of edible pot on their person, own six plants and six seedlings, and have up to eight ounces in their home.  

     Second, if SQ #788 is approved the state legislature will take up the issues of legalization.  Lawmakers would establish the criteria for growers and dispensaries.  That is a system ripe for special interest paybacks by legislators. 

     Third, if SQ #788 is approved, Oklahoma would become the first state to remove the ‘qualifying conditions committee.’  Proponents for legalization say if your doctor believes medical marijuana is right for you, under this law you can get access to it without the government having to approve the doc’s decision.  That appeals to small government advocates, but without oversight, abuse is sure to happen.

     U.S. Senator James Lankford, R-OKC, has taken a public position against SQ #788.   “This state question is being sold to Oklahomans as a compassionate medical marijuana bill by outside groups that actually want access to recreational marijuana. Most of us have seen first-hand the damage done to families and our communities from recreational marijuana use. This is a moment when we should work to make our state stronger, healthier and more economically sound, not more drug addicted and distracted. No one will convince me that our families will be better if only more parents and grandparents smoke more marijuana,” Lankford said.  The Senator is right.  This is a poorly written bill that would result in ‘unintended consequences.”

          This issue makes for strange bedfellows.  Expect right and left wing millennials to support legalization and Baby Boomers and Generation Xers to oppose.  Whether Okies will be legally lighting up a doobie depends on who gets out and votes on the 26th.