Trade organization hopes Oklahomans approve medical marijuana proposal
A new trade organization has hopes that voters this summer will sign off on legalizing medical marijuana.
Oklahoma City attorney Bud Scott is serving as executive director of New Health Solutions Oklahoma, which formed about nine months ago.
The organization has about 30 members and hopes to grow if voters on June 26 approve State Question 788 to legalize medical marijuana.
“Specifically, with the issue of medical cannabis arising in Oklahoma, we are working with emerging members of the industry to represent their interests insofar as development of reasonable policy, engaging in community partnerships and providing education to the general public and other interested stakeholders,” Scott said.
The group intends to lobby for passage of State Question 788.
“Really, more importantly, we are lobbying for a legislative package that helps to really spell out some more of the provisions related to the medical cannabis industry in Oklahoma,” he said.
Two bills working through the Legislature address the issue.
House Bill 3468, by Rep. John Jordan, R-Yukon, sets up an independent commission that would be activated if the state question is approved.
The independent commission would regulate medical cannabis in terms of rule making and enforcement.
Meanwhile, Sen. Ervin Yen, R-Oklahoma City, is carrying Senate Bill 1120 that sets the conditions for when medical marijuana can be prescribed.
The state question only lists that it needs to be administered under a doctor’s care. Some have concerns that Yen’s bill could pre-empt the June 26 vote.
Scott and Chip Paul, Oklahomans for Health chairman, prefer the House measure that creates the independent commission. Oklahomans for Health was successful in gathering the signatures to get the measure on the ballot.
Senate Bill 1120 overrides the vast majority of language in State Question 788, Scott said.
Yen has said his measure is needed because the state question, as written, essentially legalizes recreational marijuana if it is approved by voters.
“We are not wanting to do a drastic departure from the language (in the state question) for the most part,” Scott said. “We will work with the legislature expanding, spelling out some of those provisions — the actual guidelines on how you go about submitting a license application, what those rules look like, feel like. There needs to be more language on quality control and consumer protection.”
The organization is also working with the business community to address concerns about the use of drugs in the workplace, Scott said. The group supports an employer’s right to enforce a drugfree workplace, Scott said.
Paul said he was supportive of the new trade organization.
“They are a necessary thing,” Paul said, and they will be critical to protecting the law.
August Rivera is cochairman of Oklahomans Against 788.
“It just seems they are putting the cart before the horse,” he said. “We just don’t know what is going to happen on June 26.”