| The chairmen of state's two largest County Republican Committee's issued a joint press release, calling on the legislature to "reinstate the will of the people and do whatever is needed to oust the bureaucratic authoritarians within the Oklahoma State Board of Health," ; a news release from the group read. Both Daren Ward & David McLain are key members of the ruling State Committee & the State Executive Committee. Last week a board of unelected bureaucrats.... 9 appointed members of the Oklahoma Board of Health; created new laws under the guise of Agency regulations. It was part of the implementation of Medical Cannabis law. State Question 788 was enacted by the people of Oklahoma, at the ballot box, rather than through the legislature & governor. The author of SQ788 fired back at the governor for enacting the Board of Health's 3 separate resolutions."We will absolutely throw the book at them with class-action lawsuits on behalf of patients. We won't be railroaded," Chip Paul, with Oklahomans for Health, said. "We simply want our state question implemented and properly regulated." |  Daren Ward of OKC GOP & David McLain of Tulsa GOP |
| "We ask that they move as quickly as possible to resolve this matter. Our country is a constitutional republic, and state government, under the United States Constitution and its amendments, is supposed to respect the voice of the people and due process. Last week’s actions by the OSBH are truly repugnant. Not only did they show no regard for the will of the people, but that they are truly part of the governmental swamp that seeks to legislate outside the republican form of government," said Oklahoma County Republican Chairman Daren Ward. The group says the Oklahoma State Board of Health drafted rules that were "counter to the language in the ballot measure and created a compromised medical marijuana system that hinders access to patients and discourages qualified medical professionals from taking part." | “The ‘we know better attitude’ expressed by the OSBH and the shocking approval by our current Governor shows contempt for the liberties and the rights we express at the ballot box as citizens,” said Tulsa County Republican Chairman David McLain. “I call on all Republicans to contact your legislators, from either party, and ask for a quick resolution to this desecration of the citizens’ voice.” Last week, Republican legislative leadership announced plans to create a bipartisan working group with House and Senate members who will work with medical marijuana stakeholders. “The Oklahoma Senate will not undo the will of voters, who spoke loudly by passing State Question 788,” said Senate Majority floor leader Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City. “While the Health Department and its commissioner did yeoman’s work in drafting emergency rules, the Board of Health’s adoption of last-minute amendments without public comments has undermined the public’s confidence in the system. Lawmakers have the ability to amend this law as we move forward to address any issues which may arise.” |
