With a statewide vote set for March 7 on legalizing THC merchandise for grownup use, Oklahoma’s governor and attorney general have come out in opposition to the proposal often known as recreational marijuana.
In a briefing Friday with reporters within the Capitol, Gov. Kevin Stitt stated he thinks voters ought to think about learn how to shield Oklahoma from the potential risks of increasing entry to marijuana. He identified that from the federal authorities’s perspective, marijuana continues to be an unlawful drug.
He says for many who want it, medical hashish is already accessible whereas marijuana stays unlawful federally.
“I believe the feds need to make a decision about marijuana,” he stated. “There shouldn’t be a patchwork of states doing different things. We need to let the feds tell us if it’s legal or illegal. We shouldn’t let the states tell us that.”
Recreational marijuana has been legalized within the District of Columbia and 21 U.S. states. Washington, D.C., and 37 states, together with Oklahoma, have authorized medical marijuana applications.
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“We already have medical (cannabis) to meet the medical needs of Oklahomans that need this as a drug,” Stitt stated. “We’re just now getting our arms around medical marijuana. … The recreational thing is a whole different story.”
The governor referenced the low obstacles of entry that made Oklahoma extra enticing to out-of-state buyers searching for to money in on marijuana. Crime associated to medical marijuana has been within the highlight since 4 Chinese residents had been discovered slain, execution model, at a hashish farm in rural Hennessey, Oklahoma.
On Thursday, Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond referenced these slayings in explaining to The Oklahoman that he could be voting no on State Question 820, the voter initiative to legalize the acquisition, possession and consumption of marijuana for these over 21.
“One of the biggest current threats to public safety is the presence of Chinese nationals and other elements of organized crime in our medical marijuana industry,” Drummond stated. “I believe it would be a grave mistake to give these criminals a larger market to serve.”
10 issues which might be nonetheless unlawful below Oklahoma’s medical marijuana legal guidelines
Can’t get a prescription for marijuana
Marijuana is listed as a schedule 1 managed substance in federal legislation, so it can’t be prescribed, solely “recommended.”
A Ninth Circuit Court ruling ensures safety for medical doctors who challenge suggestions to sufferers who could profit from cannabis-based therapies, however federal legislation precludes medical doctors from “aiding and abetting” sufferers acquiring marijuana. This means medical doctors and sufferers can’t focus on dosages, strains or particular hashish merchandise for treating a selected ailment. Doctors as a substitute fill out a kind indicating they’ve mentioned the dangers of marijuana use with the affected person and really feel the advantages are well worth the remedy.
Some sufferers who see physicians for pain and are treated with opioids also may not be able to do so and use medical marijuana as a licensed patient.
Can’t use marijuana in the workplace or be impaired on the job
State Question 788 says only that an employer may not discriminate against an employee simply because of their status as a medical marijuana patient. This means that simply having a license cannot be grounds for termination or discipline. That employer can still, however, write and enforce rules that restrict the use of marijuana by employees just like any other controlled substance. No patients would be protected if they come to work high, use marijuana in the workplace or attempt to do their job while impaired.
Can’t transport marijuana across state lines
Patients who obtain medical marijuana cards in other states may purchase from dispensaries there, but the products may not be brought back to Oklahoma. Nor could a patient travel to a state with a recreational marijuana law and bring any legally obtained products back to Oklahoma. Those patients who plan to cultivate marijuana at their own homes would also not be permitted to obtain seeds from another state.
Can’t get a doctor’s recommendation inside a dispensary
A change to the law made it illegal to post a physician inside a medical marijuana dispensary, as this one did, for customers to sign up as patients inside the retail business operation.
Can’t try the product while shopping
The use of any cannabis product is prohibited inside a licensed medical marijuana business, so patients should not expect samples like what some CBD shops have been able to offer.
Can’t smoke marijuana where tobacco also prohibited
The law makes cannabis like tobacco when it comes to public consumption by falling under the Smoking in Public Places and Indoor Workplaces Act.
Can’t give marijuana away
Nothing in the law allows for patients to transfer ownership of marijuana. Patients cannot donate or sell marijuana, even to other patients. Licensed patients may cultivate marijuana on their own residential property or, with written permission, on rented property. They cannot grow outdoors unless the plants are surrounded by a locked 6-foot fence. If the yield of the plants at harvest surpasses the legal amount that may be in a patient’s possession, the marijuana must be either processed or destroyed. Patients may process their own marijuana for concentrates or edibles but would not be permitted to perform extractions using butane.
Can’t drive while impaired on marijuana
Although it is legal for patients to have a certain amount of marijuana on their person, if that patient is behind the wheel, a law enforcement officer will evaluate whether the person is at all impaired. Driving while under the influence remains illegal even for medical marijuana patients.
Can’t possess an excessive amount of marijuana
A patient remains within the legal guidelines if they possess no more than 3 ounces of marijuana on their person and 8 ounces at their residence, 1 ounce of concentrated marijuana, and 72 ounces of edible marijuana. If caught exceeding those limitations, a patient would lose their license and could face criminal charges including intent to distribute or trafficking.
Can’t smoke where you’re told not to
Renters have no legal right to smoke medical marijuana, even with a patient card, if the landlord/owner issues rules for residents that prohibit smoking.
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