Oklahoma has had access to legal cannabis medicines for about half a year. In that time the licensed growing, processing, & dispensary outlets have far exceeded projections for economic impact. Last month, dispensaries paid $3.6 million dollars on cannabis medicine sales. The masses of our citizens who have become licensed to treat their medical conditions with Cannabis, is double what the State Health Dept. projected just 10 months ago. Now, many of the same advocates who brought about SQ788, are announcing their intent to draft language for a broader repeal of prohibition of cannabis. This is not uncharted territory for Oklahoma. On this date, 90 years ago, Marijuana was fully legal in Oklahoma, and Liquor possession was a federal crime. Chris Moe has been a lobbying force at the state capitol for most of this past session. He's organizing a massive 2-day festival in Oklahoma City, to commemorate the passage of SQ788. As a chronic pain sufferer, Moe has seen scores of fellow Oklahomans' lives improved, as Opiates were replaced with Cannabis medicine alternatives. Moe recently posted his political strategy to his social media outlets. We're posting his message below. |
First, we should recognize the lives that have been saved. I personally know people that survived the last year because they could legally purchase Cannabis. Unfortunately, I also know people that didn't make it. They couldn't get started fast enough. There are some that won't make it till the end of this year, because for one reason or another they can't or won't get in our current medical program. Who will be the last one to die?
We did some amazing things in Oklahoma when we were united. We came together to change the course of history for our state. That's HUGE! We should not forget that, or our place in this country. We can lead the midwest into better healthcare and a prosperous industry.
So what's the next step?
- We need to spend the summer working with lawmakers we have already established relationships with. They can help us with new legislation to improve this evolving Medical Cannabis Program.
- Simultaneously we will be writing a full access petition. This petition will be run next year during the legislative session. The strategy is, every argument over the rules for the medical program will fill more sheets of signatures. Every sheet of signatures will stop an argument over the medical program.
Most importantly! THIS WILL BE AN ELECTION YEAR! It took the perfect storm for 507,350 people to unite for 788. We all had to get GRUMPY.
This is another perfect storm. We can unite again and lead our state into a better future. Illinois just past full access because they see the future and potential prosperity. Oklahoma needs to step up again and show the country our path forward. We led the country in the production of hemp before greed stopped it for things like oil and pharmaceuticals. Let's not forget how we got here. Resistance to the Cannabis movement is solely based on the financial gains of very few.
Full adult access is the way our country is going very fast. We can lead, follow or get out of the way. I'm hoping we choose to lead.
Stay Grumpy...see you on the road!
Chris Moe