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The Oklahoma senate gave final passage to a broad statutory overhaul bill to replace the current Medical Marijuana Law that was passed as SQ788, last june. The measure changes several parts of the rollout parameters both in the text of SQ788 and the emergency rules of the Oklahoma Health Dept.
This 90 page proposal broadens some interpretations while removing many protections of privacy and employment. Several representatives of Medical Marijuana Businesses(MMBs) supported the measure because it stabilizes the marketplace and helps the industry plan for long term investments. But the bill fails to address Banking needs, the abuses of the Oklahoma Tax Commission, and The bill gives absolute powers to the Health Dept.'s inspectors to make up more rules without statutory approval, and shut down MMBs. The bill appears to give any doctor the ability to check the license status & medical records of any patient they suspect is a licensed patient. But many advocates say that the many changes it makes to the current rollout are more positive than negative. What it does establish is that 93% of the House and 90% of the senate approves of this structured Cannabis Medicine program. Most of those voting 'No" to the bill, wanted a less restrictive alternative. |
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Gov. Stitt made these comments last fall. Stitt said he supports medical marijuana, but recreational marijuana has no place in Oklahoma because he said it brings unintended consequences like employment issues, conflicts with the banking system, and it could put local businesses at a disadvantage.
Stitt points out, the federal government still doesn’t recognize medical marijuana as legal. However, if recreational marijuana ended up on the ballot as a state question, like 788, Stitt said he would again respect the will of the people and whatever they decide. “As governor, of course! I will be out there representing what all 4 Million Oklahoman's and representing their will,” he said.
The former lead counsel of the Health Dept, Julie Ezell; spoke with leading proponents of Cannabis Medicine, last week, in this video.
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We captured this tally of the final senate vote on the Major legislative reform bill, this afternoon.
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