Will Oklahoma legalize medical marijuana?
Photo: Creative Commons
Oklahoma voters will decide the future of State Question 788 this June.
On June 26, Oklahoma will vote on the legalization of medical marijuana. This would allow for patients above the age of 18 or anyone with a medical prescription and a parent signature to receive the drug. Is Oklahoma ready for such a controversial and drastic change to Oklahoma’s Health Care Department?
As of January 5, “Medical Marijuana Vote 788” was added to the voting ballot. On June 26, Oklahomans will vote to either deny or pass State Question 788, something for which activists and medical marijuana supporters are advocating. However, is this something that the Oklahoma Health Department can handle right now? Recently, in light of budgetary issues, the department has said they are worried that the legalization of this substance would be too much for the department to handle this year. Some, however, argue that the legalization would not only replace the missing budget but would also produce profits to put funding back into the schools and communities.
It goes without saying that not all parties are in favor of the passage of State Question 788. Oklahoma Senator Ervin Yen is one of those opposed to 788.
“Its too easily abused,” said Yen in an article published by KOCO. “I’ve just so far not seen any good data that shows it’s useful for those three purposes.”
Yen plans to introduce his own bill (Bill 1120) that would combat SQ 788 in Oklahoma’s primary vote this June. Bill 1120 would legalize marijuana but only for those with proven illnesses. Bill 1120 does not include those with PTSD and other mental illnesses. Yen is not in favor of the current bill on the ballot.
“It’s a huge mistake,” Yen said. “It’s really recreational marijuana.”
Oklahoman veteran Cody Barlow is a supporter and user of medical marijuana.
Barlow said, “Medical marijuana helps me with PTSD, depression, anxiety, pain, many ailments, and illnesses.”
As of now State Question 788 will appear on the June 26 primary election.
Anyone interested in getting involved in Oklahoma’s political system can register to vote by applying online.
This is Tanner Davis first year in journalism as a writer. Tanner is 18 and has been attending Ada High for four years now. After High School Tanner...
Braden moore • Mar 11, 2018 at 7:11 pm
Legalizing marijuana would be a bad idea for Oklahoma. There are too many people who would abuse it for recreational use instead of for medicinal purposes. Oklahoma is not ready to take on this responsibility.
Tanner Davis • Mar 14, 2018 at 11:50 am
Do you not believe it would do more good than harm? its been proven to starve cancer cells and reduce tumor growth. I can send you my source if you like. It would bring more than enough profit for the state, we’re just a few hours from Colorado and because we are people from this state go there to receive treatment that they really do need. Oklahoma loses tax dollars because of this. But is it such a bad thing that some would abuse this? as far as abusing medicine goes this is the safest intoxicant you could ever do, I’m not saying everyone should do it but there are worse things to abuse, like alcohol and tobacco or prescription drugs. things that have been proven to shorten your lifespan. my sister has glioblastoma, an aggressive brain cancer and the legalization of this would mean she could start to enjoy life to the fullest again, watching her go through chemo is extremely hard for me and my family, seeing her go days without eating is scary and this plant, with an overdose kill rate of zero, could be extremely beneficial and could just save her life. so I’m voting yes on 788 and I encourage all believers of the healing powers of marijuana to do the same.
Jonathan Jackson • Mar 19, 2018 at 4:21 am
Being on opiates for pain and mind altering drugs for my PTSD is legal. Yet an organic drug that has no negative effects but treats PTSD and other ailments will remain illegal. The senators voting against this bill has big pharma deep in their pockets. I’m sick and tired of taking legal opiates. Hell if I stop them all together I’d go into withdrawal. If I were using Marijuana and stopped it suddenly I wouldn’t go into withdrawal. People need to do more research on this.
Tina • Apr 20, 2018 at 2:42 pm
And your point? That is happening as we speak. Alcohol kills so many people, directly and indirectly. In Colorado, it is known that people who are trying to stop drinking and taking dangerous medications, have been helped enormously. ANYTHING can be abused…the worst abuse is the food and sodas even our children are allowed to eat.
Razia • May 31, 2018 at 3:25 pm
Oklahoma isn’t ready, or you’re not ready? Speak only for yourself, not on behalf of the state. Any drug or medicine can be and will be abused, at least this one can’t kill you. Just because some people will abuse this, that doesn’t mean it should be denied to those who need it.