Recreational pot backers work to get on ballot

Just weeks after Oklahomans voted for medical marijuana, another initiative petition could expand the state's laws to include recreational use.

Supporters of State Question 797 began gathering signatures before the June 26 statewide ballot that saw more than 56 percent of voters approving of medical cannabis. Isaac Caviness, president of Green the Vote, hopes that enthusiasm will translate to his signaturegathering campaign, which also includes a separate state question placing medical marijuana in the Oklahoma Constitution.

In the two months since thecampaign started, Green the Vote has amassed more than 80,000 signatures. They have until Aug. 8 to reach 123,725.

"The response we're getting

“The response we’re getting is people of Oklahoma have gotten educated as far as what recreational has done for Colorado,” he said, referring to the neighboring state that legalized recreational marijuana in 2012. “And with all of the budget shortfalls we’ve had and our teachers striking at the Capitol trying to demand funds for schools, I think the citizens of Oklahoma are looking at recreational as a possible revenue source.”

Colorado officials reported that in 2017, the state collected more than $247 million from tax, license and fee revenue for both medical and recreational

use.

Alongside the recreational ballot question, Caviness is collecting signatures to put the medical marijuana State Question 796 to a statewide vote. It’s also a constitutional amendment and would replace the medical marijuana law recently approved by voters.

There are differences in the current law and the proposed one. For example, as a constitutional provision it would be more difficult to change later. The proposed amendment also would cap license fees instead of set them, and define medical conditions that qualify for a marijuana recommendation from a doctor where the new law doesn’t.

For conditions that are not spelled out in

the proposed law, two doctors must agree that the patient should use marijuana. There would also be protections for users suspected of driving under the influence. To be charged with a marijuana-related DUI, a police officer has to perform a field sobriety test.

“A blood test or saliva test will not be sufficient to charge somebody with a DUI, because marijuana stays in your system for 30 to 45 days after you use it,” Caviness said.

Green the Vote is part of a larger coalition of marijuana advocates that include Oklahomans for Health and the Oklahoma Cannabis Trade Association.

They are separate from another group of advocates who led the final phase of the State Question 788 campaign.

Bud Scott, executive director of another trade association in the second group, New Health Solutions Oklahoma, is hesitant about a recreational law but said entrepreneurs in his industry would proceed with their business plans no matter what happens.

“I’m not sure there’s any empirical evidence that shows that Oklahomans are ready to take the step toward fullblown recreational marijuana. We’re still just beginning trying to get this thing implemented,” said Scott, who is pressuring the governor and lawmakers to convene a special session to amend the new law.

“If they go on the ballot, that’s for the people to decide. That’s about all I have to say about it,” he said.