Cannabis

[king183]

I don't quite get that logic. I know plenty of vets with the medical card. Is it that they can't get the medical recommendation at the VA and have to go to a place that will issue them?

Vets can get the medical card. The issue is, as you intuited, that VA docs are prohibited from prescribing it due to it still being a federal crime. That actually applies to any medical institution receiving federal grants funds For example, doctors at the Stephenson Cancer Center are not allowed to prescribe it. Thus, vets must go through a route other than the VA to get a prescription.

[jerrywall]

What does a typical Liquor store employee earn? Not the owner, but an employee? I would be surprised if it is anywhere close to a middle class income.

You're likely right, especially the hourly employees but this doesn't improve when the business moves to walmart - if anything the average employee pay probably drops. But the hundreds of middle class jobs were the liquor store owners and managers. Personally, I'd prefer in state owners who are paying in state income taxes and live and work here make the profits of the liquor retail business than shipping it all back to Bentonville but here we are...

[Laramie]

Will Texans cross the border to purchase recreational marijuana in Oklahoma...

[Jersey Boss]

You're likely right, especially the hourly employees but this doesn't improve when the business moves to walmart - if anything the average employee pay probably drops. But the hundreds of middle class jobs were the liquor store owners and managers. Personally, I'd prefer in state owners who are paying in state income taxes and live and work here make the profits of the liquor retail business than shipping it all back to Bentonville but here we are...

I'm in your camp and still have not decided on how or if I will vote on this issue. I am a card holder.

[Bunty]

I can only speak anecdotally, but my contacts in the industry are against this. If we have recreational, it's only a matter of time before marijuana products grace the shelves of Walgreen's and CVS. If we're serious about keeping the industry local and middle class, two things have to happen--it has to be treated like liquor was, i.e., we have to have protectionist and even inefficient distribution models aimed at protectionism and we have to get serious about policing illegal grows. We can't continue to turn a blind eye to the effect this is having on rural Oklahoma and not expect a major backlash at the ballot box.

Yeah, Payne County Republicans at their two opposition meetings featuring speakers against SQ820 bring up illegal grows, crime and heavy demand on water and electricity. Hopefully, the 15% sales tax on cannabis sales can provide much improved support for enforcement. Some people at the meetings were very unhappy that the state Republican Party is not taking a stand against SQ820.

[fortpatches]

"it has to be treated like liquor was" --- I would generally agree, but I do kinda disagree for personal consumption.

I don't see any issue with personal growing (or personal distillation for that matter). It seems kinda weird that we say some fictitious person (e.g., company) can make it, but a real person cannot? That just seems silly.

I am for the business regulations though - Just like I can't go to walmart and buy a bottle of Vodka, there is no reason a similar law couldn't be put in place that would restrict me from buying pot in walmart.

[KTB]

I have mixed feelings on recreational. I don't care what anyone else does but I'm tired of smelling it everywhere I go. Oklahoma is almost as bad as Vegas now. I smell it at stoplights, parking lots, drive thru's, and grocery stores. I can smell it on I 35 as I'm driving through north Edmond. Dispensaries are in every strip mall. I don't think the card is limiting anyone except non-residents. And we all know how the tax dollars will work because we've seen it with the casino's and lottery. They'll say it goes to education but then they'll reduce the education budget so it'll end up a wash. I do think it'll pass by a large margin because there is not any groups opposing it that I've seen.

[David]

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

[Bill Robertson]

I have mixed feelings on recreational. I don't care what anyone else does but I'm tired of smelling it everywhere I go. Oklahoma is almost as bad as Vegas now. I smell it at stoplights, parking lots, drive thru's, and grocery stores. I can smell it on I 35 as I'm driving through north Edmond. Dispensaries are in every strip mall. I don't think the card is limiting anyone except non-residents. And we all know how the tax dollars will work because we've seen it with the casino's and lottery. They'll say it goes to education but then they'll reduce the education budget so it'll end up a wash. I do think it'll pass by a large margin because there is not any groups opposing it that I've seen.

It limits a lot of us residents also. I'm in pain bad enough that I would bet many people just would go on disability and hang it up. I love my job. I can't get a card because of it though. I also won't partake at work because that's just wrong. But at least I could get some relief on my own time if recreational passes.

[Bunty]

Criminal justice reform efforts driving fundraising in favor of legalizing recreational marijuana.

https://www.readfrontier.org/stories...nal-marijuana/

[Bunty]

How disgusting some people opposed to SQ820 are attacking veterans for using medical marijuana:

"Oklahoma veterans do not need dope!"

[Bunty]

Two Oklahoma pro cannabis activists meet online to discuss SQ820 and address some of the concerns the opposition has against it. One of them, "Uncle Grumpy" is an unpaid lobbyist for cannabis. One of the most significant comments he made was,

"You know, one of the greatest things I can get legislators to agree upon at the capitol is the reaction when I say what if SQ820 fails? And they just all shake their heads and say that's not good."

[Midtowner]

Yeah, Payne County Republicans at their two opposition meetings featuring speakers against SQ820 bring up illegal grows, crime and heavy demand on water and electricity. Hopefully, the 15% sales tax on cannabis sales can provide much improved support for enforcement. Some people at the meetings were very unhappy that the state Republican Party is not taking a stand against SQ820.

This gives me hope. Oklahoma Democrats became uncompetitive when they lost their rural voters. It's easy to forget when all of your money is coming from OKC/Tulsa. Hopefully, the GOP will continue to ignore what their base's concerns are and hopefully, the Dems will be smart enough to do something about it. Were I a Dem, I'd be advocating a dual chairmanship--one for Oklahoma/Tulsa/Cleveland counties and one for the rest of the state.

[Edmond Hausfrau]

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

I believe that this the dog food plant you are smelling, not the Chronic.

[Laramie]

Good insight on how recreational and medicinal marijuana could work. Thanks for posting Bunty.

[KTB]

Bill,

Thank you for showing me that angle. I never thought about not being able to get a card because of a job. I've been self-employed since 18 so I've never had any restrictions. Does your employer drug test? If so, you still many be unable to partake.

I hope you can get the pain relief you need some how.

[Bill Robertson]

Bill,

Thank you for showing me that angle. I never thought about not being able to get a card because of a job. I've been self-employed since 18 so I've never had any restrictions. Does your employer drug test? If so, you still many be unable to partake.

I hope you can get the pain relief you need some how.

It's a Fed Govt facility and I have to maintain clearance to have my position. I've been where I am for 21 years and I've never heard of a drug test. Even after accidents which are supposed to automatically trigger tests so I'm not worried about that. I am worried about some alarm going off in Washington if I get a card.

[KTB]

If you are smelling it while driving down I 35 in Edmond then you need to talk to whoever has been smoking it in your car.

LOL! Trust me, no one has smoked in my car. If someone did I'd buy a new one. I can't stand the smell. Go up I-35 north of Covell and you can smell it. I have a friend that lives off Simmons and someone started a grow near them. They can't even sit outside anymore because of it and are considering moving.

[Bunty]

LOL! Trust me, no one has smoked in my car. If someone did I'd buy a new one. I can't stand the smell. Go up I-35 north of Covell and you can smell it. I have a friend that lives off Simmons and someone started a grow near them. They can't even sit outside anymore because of it and are considering moving.

If rural counties defeat SQ820 as expected, we'll know one reason why. Is the new grow even legal? I don't smell anything in town, but I don't need to drive in the countryside much or visit anybody there.

SQ820 opponents fear a large yes turnout in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Norman will overcome heavy rural county opposition. Stillwater, Lawton and Tahlequah could be strong secondary sources for additional yes votes. But I think the rural counties bordering on Texas and Kansas will be giving up a lot of business and tax revenue, if they vote no. But then that smell, lol! Small towns on the Interstates will benefit from the traffic. Urban areas, too, especially dispensaries near the exits.

My guess is if urban support for marijuana hasn't deteriorated, then SQ820 will win. And rural counties bordering TX and KS will profit off the smell.

[Oklapatriot]

It's a Fed Govt facility and I have to maintain clearance to have my position. I've been where I am for 21 years and I've never heard of a drug test. Even after accidents which are supposed to automatically trigger tests so I'm not worried about that. I am worried about some alarm going off in Washington if I get a card.

Bill, sorry to hear that you're still having pain....I did recommend Curcumin, and I guess it didn't work for you. Look at this product https://ultrabotanica.com/collection...power-of-three and maybe try it. Made in Oklahoma. This Company also sells CBD products that might help. Good luck.

[Bill Robertson]

Bill, sorry to hear that you're still having pain....I did recommend Curcumin, and I guess it didn't work for you. Look at this product https://ultrabotanica.com/collection...power-of-three and maybe try it. Made in Oklahoma. This Company also sells CBD products that might help. Good luck.

Unfortunately it didn't do anything. Neither does Kratom or CBD.

[Oklapatriot]

Unfortunately it didn't do anything. Neither does Kratom or CBD.

I do remember that.....this is product is a different formulation so I thought it might be worth a try. They do offer a "free" trial so might be worth a try.

[Midtowner]

This week's Gazette featured a "spokesman" for the cannabis industry. His headshot was a selfie. He was wearing a green hoodie and sporting a topknot. In the background were marijuana plants.

You're supporting a multibillion dollar industry. Go buy a suit, get some professional headshots and lose the topknot. If you're trying to appeal to mainstream voters, try looking like a professional rather than a caricature of everything people believe about marijuana users. Try being a slightly skilled communicator or hire one. You can afford it.

[gjl]

This week's Gazette featured a "spokesman" for the cannabis industry. His headshot was a selfie. He was wearing a green hoodie and sporting a topknot. In the background were marijuana plants.

You're supporting a multibillion dollar industry. Go buy a suit, get some professional headshots and lose the topknot. If you're trying to appeal to mainstream voters, try looking like a professional rather than a caricature of everything people believe about marijuana users. Try being a slightly skilled communicator or hire one. You can afford it.

It worked for Fetterman.

[Midtowner]

It worked for Fetterman.

It did...

But Pennsylvania and Oklahoma are different places. And Fetterman was going for a man of the people sort of vibe. If the Cannabis industry wants to portray its owners as businessmen and not drug lords, they need to look the part.