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Last week a somewhat obscure group filed an initiative petition with the state of Oklahoma, to seek a ballot question about further marijuana access. They did not conduct open meetings across the state either before or after the filing. One source goes so far as to say they wanted publicity kept to a minimum until the 10-day legal protest period had expired. Well, The filing happened on Dec. 12th, but the news didn't break until Monday, the 16th. On Thursday of this week the first mandated public notice in a newspaper was distributed.
Thursday night, the most noted marijuana attorney in the state held a marathon webcast to detail all the problems he sees in the proposal. Attorney Ron Durbin took to Facebook for a live video which was viewed by hundreds of advocates and proprietors in the medical marijuana circles. In more than 2 hours of continuous video, he took apart the proposal and repeatedly called for it to be pulled from consideration. He says he will likely file a formal contest. It's still not clear who wrote the proposal. We only know the 2 Oklahoma City residents who filed it. Durbin openly disparaged what he sees as shabby legal work. |
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On this date, 90 years ago, Marijuana was fully legal in Oklahoma, and liquor was a federal crime. Physicians today, roundly agree that liquor and tobacco are far more dangerous than cannabis. So the prohibition is more about cultural acceptance than public safety and health.
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 Atty. Ron Durbin details the many problems he sees, in SQ806.
Some lawmakers say this is too early for them to reconsider our decades-long prohibition of marijuana. They especially oppose making this a constitutional language which could not be adjusted through legislative action and the governor's signature.
Oklahoma has the longest and perhaps most amended constitution in the USA. President Teddy Roosevelt said; "It's twice and long as the new testament and twice as hard to understand". But so many groups have used the petition process in a populist maneuver to tie the hands of our governor & legislature. They even prevent the courts from regulating because all other powers are subject to the state's constitutional language. Many others are adamant that marijuana should not ever be taxed beyond a simple common sales tax. This proposal would net a 24% taxation on all sales |
