SQ 788 foes invest $453K in media buy

The coalition of business, medical, religious and law enforcement organizations opposed to State Question 788 laid out $453,000 this week for advertising to combat the medical cannabis ballot measure, according to independent expenditure reports filed with the Oklahoma State Ethics Commission.

The vast majority, $443,000, went to an Oklahoma City marketing company for media buys. The remaining $10,000 was evenly divided between Jones PR, an Oklahoma City political and public relations consulting firm catering to conservative candidates and causes and business groups, and the Student Development Institute, a nonprofit operated by Paul Abner, an evangelist who also heads a group of religious leaders opposed to SQ 788.

Joshua Harlow, spokesman for SQ 788 Is Not Medical, said the media buy “reflects our growing coalition.”

Opponents argue the referendum is too broadly written and would effectively allow recreational marijuana use.

Supporters say the broad language allows legislators to shape regulations as they and medical authorities see fit.

The advertising buy meshed with the release of a poll touted by the opposition group. Conducted by Right Strategy Group, an Oklahoma City consulting firm whose clients have included several Republican office-seekers, it showed SQ 788 getting just over 50 percent approval, with 43 percent opposed. The 7-point margin is lower than the double-digit approval seen in some earlier polling.

Jed Green, campaign director for Yes on 788, said the poll’s methodology underestimates the number of new and infrequent voters who will show up specifically to vote for medical cannabis and the greater motivation of the measure’s supporters.

“Our estimate is that we’ll land in the range of 55 to 70 percent (for),” Green said. “It depends on how well the opponents’ TV campaign works. We knew this was coming and are prepared to overwhelm it with a surge of grassroots voters.”

Green disputed the opposition’s claims that the state question, if it passes, will lead to recreational use.

“Medical marijuana is mostly consumed, not smoked,” he said. “We are working with the Legislature. We want a responsible, regulated industry.”

The opposition group includes the state’s major medical and hospital associations, chambers of commerce and law enforcement organizations, as well as several business associations and Oklahoma Faith Leaders, the organization headed by Paul Abner and whose best-known member is U.S. Sen. James Lankford.