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State Representative, Scott Fetgatter joined several shop owners, farmers and patients at the state capitol, today. They were there to deliver letters to Governor Stitt, calling for a special session narrowly focused on fixing bad legislation which inadvertently failed to add key 'grandfather clauses' to allow fully licensed existing farms & shops to continue operations.
Last year the legislature added a clause requiring a 2-year residency before a citizen can acquire a Medical Marijuana Business license(MMB). The previous state agency rule was 3 months. Those annual licenses are up for renewal and the OMMA is not allowed to renew those licenses unless the legislature fixes their mistake. And the legislature overwhelmingly approved that fix, but with a very shortened session, the legislature condensed about a dozen bills into just one. the governor had a couple narrow objections and vetoed the bill. It's believed he did not want to approve home delivery for patients who are homebound. He is also said to object to cancer patients from other states who are in Oklahoma getting care at the Cancer Treatment Hospitals and other care facilities. That 90-day licensing provision evidently bothers the governor. But Atty Ron Durbin, who advises farmers and shop owners on compliance with state law, is insisting that the legislature's failures, and the governor's narrow objections; are forcing massive business failures for an industry which now provides over $100 million in annual revenue to state & local govt. |
Durbin explains that nearly all MMB licenses are issued to families who have put their whole life savings into there shops and farms. A mistake on bill writing should not lead to the ruin of these families.
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The farmers and shop owners insist that the $100 million in annual state govt revenue they generate in Oklahoma, certainly justifies the small expense of a 3-day special session.
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Durbin says this is not a time to further destroy our economy, push more families into economic ruin, and add to budget shortfalls for state & local governments.
Fetgatter Calls For Action
Rep. Scott Fetgatter agrees. Fetgatter, who shepherded most of the legislation through the committee process; wants the state to act in good faith with an industry which has more than doubled the projections of agencies who oversee the process. Fetgatter held a conference today, at the House floor; for those industry advocates who joined him in delivering their letters at the Governor's office.
Senator Thompson Joins the MMB Reform Effort
Roger Thompson plans to step up his involvement of MMB reforms, according to Fetgatter's message, today. This will help the senate do their job better, and provide a senate chamber 'point person'. That will help the senate chamber provide better oversight and coordinate bills for clarity and conformity with other statutes, pending bills, and agency rules.
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