YOUR VIEWS

A new day

I woke up Wednesday morning to a brand-new day. Medical marijuana, just like the teachers’ strike, wine and beer in grocery stores, and taxing oil companies for education, are events that prove that Oklahomans get it. They vote how they feel. They don’t listen to the old guard religious leaders, campaign ad lies, newspapers, drug companies or politicians. It is a beautiful new morning.

John Rathjen, Oklahoma City

Voters knew what they were doing

On June 27, Oklahoma voters approved a sensible and dynamic proposal to make medical marijuana legal. Before anyone else chimes in on this process, it’s incredibly important to note that the voters of Oklahoma knew exactly what they were voting on when they passed the proposal by 57 percent.

In 2016, Oklahoma voters passed another measure to enact criminal justice reforms, which are desperately needed since Oklahoma holds the dubious distinction as the incarceration capital of the United States. The Legislature rushed to reverse that decision. So, before Gov. Mary Fallin, and others, seek to reverse the will of the people, I’d like to remind them of something. We’re adults. We don’t need you to treat us like children and “protect us” from our informed and enlightened decision. We need you to enact that law in the manner that was clearly spelled out when we voted on it.

To the strong majority of voters who just made history, watch our leaders and see if they disrespect your will. Take note. Take names. Because if you’re not watching, our leaders have already shown that they will destroy what you have decreed.

Dirk Hooper, Oklahoma City

Protect OKC downtown

In past weeks we have been bombarded with mentions of Colorado in relation to State Question 788. Since SQ 788 has passed, we must lean on our overburdened local law enforcement to make sure our own downtown does not become like Denver. For example, hundreds of teenage girls and boys from many states attend the Colorado Crossroads Volleyball Tournament each spring, a national qualifier for USA Volleyball. Just venturing outside the Colorado Convention Center to walk to a restaurant, the unique odor of marijuana smoke can be detected.

We should care whether the same thing occurs in downtown Oklahoma City and Tulsa, keeping families away.

This poorly worded state question has removed much of the prevention. Anything that must be prescribed before being used by patients should be made available only in pharmacies, but since we have failed to acknowledge that, it is on the backs of local law enforcement, which is entirely lax in downtown Denver in relation to marijuana, to be the ones to preserve Oklahoma City as a welcoming destination.

Russell G. Sharp, Edmond

Editorial out of balance

Regarding “In Norman, project will foster growth” (Our Views, June 25): Where’s the investigative reporting? The analysis used for the projections and economic impact claims have been challenged (by myself and others). It would serve the public to understand the controversy. Ask some Ph.D. economists about the claims. Look at the vast literature that suggests the arena entertainment districts do not stimulate economic growth as claimed by supporters. Please consider a balanced editorial.

Cynthia Rogers, Norman Rogers is a professor of economics at the University of Oklahoma.

Debatable

Regarding the letter by Robin Patten (Your Views, June 27): A warmerthan-normal May no more proves climate change/global warming than the below-average April disproves it. Reporting “heat waves” as definitive proof of climate change is logically challenged by reporting record cold as its denial. Climate change involves fluctuations over long periods of time, which makes it difficult for many to grasp.

Is the climate warming? Undoubtedly, the data bears this out. What is the role of human activity in all this? The data also shows humans bear some, maybe most, of the responsibility for these changes, but how much and a prudent course of action is debatable and there are differing opinions. The job of a news outlet is to present the facts, provide expert commentary and analysis, then present this to the reader. Educate, yes, advocate, no.

Toby Daugherty, Edmond