Points taken. LOL

Umm, our state turned down hundreds of millions in free federal money to help Oklahomans get health insurance so dont go thinking that our state would do the smart thing.

Not to twist the meaning of your statement but Federal money is never "free." It comes with strings, hidden mandates, requirements for future funding and lets not forget..... its money that doesnt exist since we have a $14 trillion deficit. The smart thing was to turn the money down if it wasn't wanted.

Not to twist the meaning of your statement but Federal money is never "free." It comes with strings, hidden mandates, requirements for future funding and lets not forget..... its money that doesnt exist since we have a $14 trillion deficit. The smart thing was to turn the money down if it wasn't wanted.

BS. I pay federal taxes, so I want our state to use some of it and not let someone else. It's not my job to reduce deficits, that's congress and the Pres. I'll let them worry about that stuff. In the meantime, I'd like our state to accept hundreds of millions to help hundreds of thousands get health care, which would do a number of things like help people get healthier, save rural hospitals and provide a stimulus for our state. Expanding Medicaid will boost our states economy while giving us a healthier workforce. It's wanted, but the one who makes the decisions has a habit of putting politics over people.

Perhaps but it also makes the drug more attractive to kids and easier to hide or give to unsuspecting teachers, as happened in Boulder last year.
Kids can be that mean with a drug whether it's legalized or not. But then do you ever hear of kids in trouble for bringing alcohol to school and sharing it with their friends during recess? If not, maybe it's because they can't buy any without an ID showing they're at least 21.

I'd be more concerned about kids finding out that narcs think, as they have stated before on the front page of the Oklahoman, that they estimate they only seize 10% of the underground drug market. Kids are liable to think that if drugs are really supposed to be as dangerous as they were taught, then the government would do a better job than its doing protecting them from drugs.

Right. Oklahoma didn't repeal Prohibition until 1959 despite it being repealed nationally in 1933. Oklahoma will likely only legalize it after it is legal in all the neighboring states and there is a high-profile case of somebody getting life in prison for driving across the border from Texas and getting busted.

I'n not as pessimistic. According to SoonerPoll results brought to light several months ago, Oklahomans support legalizing medical marijuana at 71% and support for decriminalization at 57%. Support was somewhat higher in the OKC and Tulsa metro areas. The poll, though, did not ask about legalization.

If Arkansas gets legalizing medical marijuana on the ballot in 2014 and it passes, then more people will be asking why not Oklahoma, too? But as tough as it is to get a question on the ballot, it will depend on how bad Oklahomans want it. Since there wasn't even enough interest to get enough signatures to vote on a means for getting storm shelters for schools, it shows you how hard it will be and will surely require getting grants from activist organizations outside the state to hire signature takers.

Let's not forget legalized lotteries and casinos passed over the objection of prominent Republican leaders and it happened sooner than some people thought it would.

I'd like our state to accept hundreds of millions to help hundreds of thousands get health care, which would do a number of things like help people get healthier, save rural hospitals and provide a stimulus for our state."Kid, the first hit is free." Those free millions don't last forever, but what they initially finance would stay around after they're gone. If you think this is just political whitewash, take a look at what has already happened to many cities' budgets for law enforcement after they took "free" federal grants a few years ago...

Recreational pot stores open for business after Jan 1st in Colorado. I can bet the OK state highway patrol will be beefing up coverage especially in the panhandle to try to keep people from buying Colorado pot and transporting it into Oklahoma. As more and more states legalize it, the hypocrisy is going to get greater and greater. I will be surprised if Oklahoma is not 49th or 50th to reform its marijuana laws.

The panhandle county that borders Colorado is so backward that liquor by the drink is banned. So people there are bound to support any interdiction. Surely their jail is so small it won't take very many people to fill it, if they don't get bailed out quick.

Small numbers of people working at the grass roots level since the late 1990s have had little support in trying to get Oklahoma drug laws reformed. So I think apathy from Oklahomans in seeing any need for serious reform is just as frustratingly big or bigger of an obstacle as outright opposition.

"Kid, the first hit is free." Those free millions don't last forever, but what they initially finance would stay around after they're gone. If you think this is just political whitewash, take a look at what has already happened to many cities' budgets for law enforcement after they took "free" federal grants a few years ago...

Taking federal dollars to expand medicaid is for individuals. If feds decide to take away that money sometime down the road, then many citizens simply lose their coverage. Its not like the state will be on the hook for anything.

Taking federal dollars to expand medicaid is for individuals. If feds decide to take away that money sometime down the road, then many citizens simply lose their coverage. Its not like the state will be on the hook for anything.

Not true if states take the Medicare expansion they can not ever go back. The expansion. Is 100% federal funded in years 1-3 but drops to 90% in future years. So the states taking the expansion are on the hook for the 10% going forward. Millions of dollars

If it was me, the governor, I would consider the 10% part a heck of a good deal to pay up in return to getting 90% more, with the first three years 100%. It's really a fool hardy, short sighted, vacant headed way of denying ourselves tax dollars that we have to send to the Feds, so in effect other states are getting our tax dollars to the betterment of their health. I still wonder if any industry avoids coming to Oklahoma, due to health concerns. Surely raising public health levels would pay off more than the tax dollars it would cost. With Oklahoma still trying to stay away from being no. 50 for public health, the state needs some help, unless people just don't give a damn. We feel just fine. Who needs ObamaCare? Meanwhile, keep cutting income taxes to zero, while trying to keep our prisons full. And so I say, keep happily eating richly enough to keep that big belly sticking out. It will at least be good enough to keep reminding me I need to keep my weight under 200lbs. Have at it. Happy 2014!

Not true if states take the Medicare expansion they can not ever go back. The expansion. Is 100% federal funded in years 1-3 but drops to 90% in future years. So the states taking the expansion are on the hook for the 10% going forward. Millions of dollars

We have to spend 10 cents on the dollar to see that our state's citizens are insured...? Sounds like the bargain of the century.

We will eventually expand. The choice not to will show to be more costly. Maybe Fallin is waiting to get re-elected or something but the foolish move is to deny expansion all in the name of spiting Obama.

If it was me, the governor, I would consider the 10% part a heck of a good deal to pay up in return to getting 90% more, with the first three years 100%. It's really a fool hardy, short sighted, vacant headed way of denying ourselves tax dollars that we have to send to the Feds, so in effect other states are getting our tax dollars to the betterment of their health. I still wonder if any industry avoids coming to Oklahoma, due to health concerns. Surely raising public health levels would pay off more than the tax dollars it would cost. With Oklahoma still trying to stay away from being no. 50 for public health, the state needs some help, unless people just don't give a damn. We feel just fine. Who needs ObamaCare? Meanwhile, keep cutting income taxes to zero, while trying to keep our prisons full. And so I say, keep happily eating richly enough to keep that big belly sticking out. It will at least be good enough to keep reminding me I need to keep my weight under 200lbs. Have at it. Happy 2014!

Most financial analysis says that even with that 10% tab, the benefits from a much more health populace produce a livelihood (a taxable livelihood) that outweighs that 10% cost.
Disclaimer: I'm still no fan of PPACA, but think the state (governor, et. al.) should really reconsider our participation in the Medicaid Expansion.
Apologies, Jim Kyle. I always respect your opinion.

Apologies, Jim Kyle. I always respect your opinion.Actually, I'm pretty much on the fence about this specific issue, although I do think that the ACA as passed is an abomination. I happen to be in the one group that won't be directly affected by it, since our government has required my participation in its own insurance operation since I turned 65 (although I expect more and more practicioners to refuse to deal with Medicare, as their reimbursement continues to decrease, unless non-participation is made a crime -- and I don't anticipate good results from forced labor).

I can see both sides -- those backing the governor's decision to opt out of "the first hit", and those who believe improved general health will more than repay any future cost. I happen to believe that both views are incomplete; the never-failing law of unintended consequences is bound to hit anything that's this complicated at the start! To achieve the often-stated goals of the ACA, not only will everyone be forced to participate in its plan eventually, but also all medical practicioners and other health care professionals will have to be conscripted into federal service in order to supply everything that's been promised. And as I already said, forced labor isn't noted for doing good work...

I'm thankful that I am unlikely to survive long enough to participate in that dismal future that I'm envisioning. My grandchildren and great-grandchildren will have to fend for themselves, though, even as I and my parents did. My hope is that they will learn from our mistakes, rather than repeating them.

IF and when Oklahoma legalizes marijuana the tax revenues from it might as well go toward promoting public health.

Poll: Texans support legalizing marijuana - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/life/healthzone/article/Poll-Texans-support-legalizing-marijuana-4894888.php)

A majority of Texans support legalizing it. I am not holding my breath on Oklahoma, but I think Texas could do it sooner rather than later.

If it was me, the governor, I would consider the 10% part a heck of a good deal to pay up in return to getting 90% more, with the first three years 100%. It's really a fool hardy, short sighted, vacant headed way of denying ourselves tax dollars that we have to send to the Feds, so in effect other states are getting our tax dollars to the betterment of their health. I still wonder if any industry avoids coming to Oklahoma, due to health concerns. Surely raising public health levels would pay off more than the tax dollars it would cost. With Oklahoma still trying to stay away from being no. 50 for public health, the state needs some help, unless people just don't give a damn. We feel just fine. Who needs ObamaCare? Meanwhile, keep cutting income taxes to zero, while trying to keep our prisons full. And so I say, keep happily eating richly enough to keep that big belly sticking out. It will at least be good enough to keep reminding me I need to keep my weight under 200lbs. Have at it. Happy 2014!

That's because you're rational. Meanwhile, the cost of all these uninsured showing up at our hospitals is passed along to us. It's not like we're saving any money.

Poll: Texans support legalizing marijuana - Houston Chronicle (http://www.chron.com/life/healthzone/article/Poll-Texans-support-legalizing-marijuana-4894888.php)

A majority of Texans support legalizing it. I am not holding my breath on Oklahoma, but I think Texas could do it sooner rather than later.

There was a Sooner poll out recently showing that Okies support medical marijuana, and were very close to supporting legalization. Okies and Texans usually are very close in their views.

There was a Sooner poll out recently showing that Okies support medical marijuana, and were very close to supporting legalization. Okies and Texans usually are very close in their views.

If/when it gets on the ballot, it will largely depend on who shows up to the polls. Marijuana is an issue that I am sure most voters are somewhat apathetic about. Most people who don't smoke it and never would smoke it aren't going to care one way or the other if its legalized so I think it will be difficult to drive voter excitement about it. They may have their opinion on it but likely won't make a trip to the polls for that issue alone. Of course, pastors and clergymen will be "rallying the troops" to vote against any liberalization of the marijuana laws. I think for even medical marijuana to pass in Oklahoma, it will have to be paired with some other issue that brings people who would likely vote yes to the polls.

If/when it gets on the ballot, it will largely depend on who shows up to the polls. Marijuana is an issue that I am sure most voters are somewhat apathetic about. Most people who don't smoke it and never would smoke it aren't going to care one way or the other if its legalized so I think it will be difficult to drive voter excitement about it. They may have their opinion on it but likely won't make a trip to the polls for that issue alone. Of course, pastors and clergymen will be "rallying the troops" to vote against any liberalization of the marijuana laws. I think for even medical marijuana to pass in Oklahoma, it will have to be paired with some other issue that brings people who would likely vote yes to the polls.

It will never get on the ballot with the legislature and governor we have.

It will never get on the ballot with the legislature and governor we have.

I agree. That's why I saw Texas will likely get it legalized long before Oklahoma does. Texas' state government, while conservative, isn't as far right as Oklahoma's.

Oklahoma is in the ultra Violet spectrum of right.

Like the lottery proceeds and education?


IF and when Oklahoma legalizes marijuana the tax revenues from it might as well go toward promoting public health.

Like the lottery proceeds and education?

+1

When I was a hippie in the 60's and 70's I couldn't think of a good
reason to legalize pot. I still can't think of one.

Like the lottery proceeds and education?
I just blew 7Up through my nose. It hurt. It's your fault.

When I was a hippie in the 60's and 70's I couldn't think of a good
reason to legalize pot. I still can't think of one.

Of course the reason you can't think of a good reason is because of all of the pot you smoked then. LOL

I agree. That's why I saw Texas will likely get it legalized long before Oklahoma does. Texas' state government, while conservative, isn't as far right as Oklahoma's.

Arkansas may get medical marijuana legalized in November from its second try. The group, Arkansans for Responsible Medicine has until July 2014 to gather 62,000 signatures to get it on the ballot in time for November. It is believed to have a greater chance of passing than the last one, due to number of dispensaries being capped and growing your own not permitted. Since Arkansas almost got it passed the first time around, it will probably be able to get money from outside activist organizations to hire signature takers.

Since the requirements in Oklahoma are much more difficult to meet than it is in Arkansas to use the petition process to get a question on the ballot, I would suggest that the state legislature ease the requirements or put it up for a vote of the people. It will have to be voted on by the people, if it requires a change to the state constitution.

Like the lottery proceeds and education?

No, you sure as hell don't want to promote pot legalization by saying that pot taxes would go to schools. This is because legalizing alcohol, lotteries, and casinos and the tax proceeds from that didn't work to keep funding for public education up. If you think logic would dictate it wouldn't help public health, either, you're welcome to think so.

When I was a hippie in the 60's and 70's I couldn't think of a good
reason to legalize pot. I still can't think of one.

Your intense apathy on the issue is reflective of many Oklahomans and may present as much or greater difficulty with trying to legalize it than from outright Republican opposition. Oh, well, Oklahomans left Republican opposition and possible apathy in the dust when it came time to vote to legalize lotteries and casinos.

Can't wait for the first stories to come out in Colorado about a "stoned" doctor to perform surgery, the first "stoned" judge to render a legal opinion or the first "stoned" financial advisor leading a retired couple down a new investment path. At least you can generally tell if someone is drunk.

... At least you can generally tell if someone is drunk.

It's not too hard to notice a blotto inexperienced drinker. But an experienced alcoholic will slide past many, indeed most, eyes.

Can't wait for the first stories to come out in Colorado about a "stoned" doctor to perform surgery, the first "stoned" judge to render a legal opinion or the first "stoned" financial advisor leading a retired couple down a new investment path. At least you can generally tell if someone is drunk.
Yeah...because no one was getting stoned before today.

When I was a hippie in the 70's and 80's I couldn't think of a good
reason NOT to legalize pot. I still can't think of one.

I agree. That's why I saw Texas will likely get it legalized long before Oklahoma does. Texas' state government, while conservative, isn't as far right as Oklahoma's.

Are you serious?

Can't wait for the first stories to come out in Colorado about a "stoned" doctor to perform surgery, the first "stoned" judge to render a legal opinion or the first "stoned" financial advisor leading a retired couple down a new investment path. At least you can generally tell if someone is drunk.
They'll likely have to come to Denver to get their pot since rec sales of marijuana continue to be banned in most of the large cities, including Colorado Springs. So much for saying that marijuana is no longer banned in Colorado.

Are you serious?

He might as well be. Texas didn't renew it's contract with two prisons last summer. Oklahoma Republicans are surely open minded about making new contracts with private prisons rather than reform like Texas did that would reduce the need for prison beds.

Great article on the first day of legal pot sales in Colorado.

Scenes from Day 1 of Colorado's recreational marijuana sales - The Denver Post (http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24829090/scenes-from-day-1-colorados-recreational-marijuana-sales?source=pkg)

And my favorite quote from the article, LOL:


San Miguel County Commissioner Art Goodtimes was first in line at Alpine Wellness. A marijuana enforcement division officer wandered between Telluride's two stores, doing little more than watching.

Is this really the guy's name?

Are you serious?

Pretty much.

I agree. That's why I saw Texas will likely get it legalized long before Oklahoma does. Texas' state government, while conservative, isn't as far right as Oklahoma's.


Are you serious?
I got a laugh out of that one too.....

Yes, there are pockets of Democrats in Dallas, Houston, Austin and the Valley but they are surrounded by deep red and rural Texas is solidly red. Redistricting every 10 years serves to carve up any significant influence the Democrats have in the state legislature. If you have lived there, you realize it.

Sounds like two peas in a pod.

Like the lottery proceeds and education?I thought the money does go to education, does it not?

great article on the first day of legal pot sales in colorado.

scenes from day 1 of colorado's recreational marijuana sales - the denver post (http://www.denverpost.com/marijuana/ci_24829090/scenes-from-day-1-colorados-recreational-marijuana-sales?source=pkg)

and my favorite quote from the article, lol:



Is this really the guy's name?
lol

I thought the money does go to education, does it not?What's left after expenses, less 65% for the operators, does -- but are you familiar with "Hollywood accounting"?

Texas has the most right-wing government in America. Okie is trying to play catch up.

At Christmas, we were talking about Oklahoma's current political climate and my mom told me what it was like to live in the Panhandle of Texas in the late 1960s. She was a teacher and was at school the day Martin Luther King, Jr. was shot. She said the other teachers in the teachers lounge were cheering the assassination. Sickening, but true, and something she's never forgotten.

I guess some taxes are better than no taxes. At least it keeps the dollars going back into the local econ. instead of the cartels.

Texas has the most right-wing government in America. Okie is trying to play catch up.



That is at least true in how Texas beat Oklahoma to having a Ten Commandments monument on state capitol grounds with a U. S. Supreme Court ruling to back it up.

Informative FAQ, sounds like it will be taxed rather heavily.

Colo. marijuana guide: 64 of your questions, answered | The Cannabist (http://www.thecannabist.co/2013/12/31/colorado-marijuana-guide-64-answers-commonly-asked-questions/1673/)

25% tax of pot sales will generate a lot of revenue. It sounds like they had a killer first day. Suppose they sell $200 million in pot the first year; that's an additional $50 million in tax revenue. Nothing to sneeze at.

Norma Sapp to be on CH9 news at 10 tonight.

Norma Sapp to be on CH9 news at 10 tonight.

I saw her and easily agree with her that the sky isn't going to fall, if marijuana is legalized and that it can't harm you. Legal federal medical marijuana patient Irvin Rosenfield, who has been smoking 300 joints a month for around 30 years can testify to that. As she said it's ironic how people are quite free to go to a store and buy a bottle of aspirin to use to kill yourself.

If/when it gets on the ballot, it will largely depend on who shows up to the polls. Marijuana is an issue that I am sure most voters are somewhat apathetic about. Most people who don't smoke it and never would smoke it aren't going to care one way or the other if its legalized so I think it will be difficult to drive voter excitement about it. They may have their opinion on it but likely won't make a trip to the polls for that issue alone. Of course, pastors and clergymen will be "rallying the troops" to vote against any liberalization of the marijuana laws. I think for even medical marijuana to pass in Oklahoma, it will have to be paired with some other issue that brings people who would likely vote yes to the polls.

If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, we could make the case to lighten the prison load for some seriously NON-violent offenders. Show it would cost less to the tax payers. Show it would let their sister-in-law out of jail for the minor possession. Show it's a much less addicting substance and NOT a gateway drug. Demonstrate that there is a test (is there?) to determine a level of influence like there's a breathalyzer now for alcohol. Constantly paste up on the TV screen the pictures of the two-bit offenders who are in jail for a minor possession and have their loved ones voice-over the heartache of the loss -- ask for compassion on the lowly sinner, etc.
If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, I think that it would pass.
But then, again, it would have to be something that would even come up for a vote.

If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, we could make the case to lighten the prison load for some seriously NON-violent offenders. Show it would cost less to the tax payers. Show it would let their sister-in-law out of jail for the minor possession. Show it's a much less addicting substance and NOT a gateway drug. Demonstrate that there is a test (is there?) to determine a level of influence like there's a breathalyzer now for alcohol. Constantly paste up on the TV screen the pictures of the two-bit offenders who are in jail for a minor possession and have their loved ones voice-over the heartache of the loss -- ask for compassion on the lowly sinner, etc.
If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, I think that it would pass.
But then, again, it would have to be something that would even come up for a vote.

Yes, also show that you harm families and children when you lock up parents.
Show that you hurt the economy when it becomes tougher for a convicted pot smoker to get hired, or if locked up too long, loses job skills.
Show that you create worse criminals by locking up a pot smoker in the same place with much more terrible criminals.

But this biggest reason, as you mentioned, is the sky rocketing prison costs Oklahoma is experiencing with our incredibly high incarceration rate. That, along with our legislature's desire to cut taxes, is killing the bottom line of other needed state services.

If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, we could make the case to lighten the prison load for some seriously NON-violent offenders. Show it would cost less to the tax payers. Show it would let their sister-in-law out of jail for the minor possession. Show it's a much less addicting substance and NOT a gateway drug. Demonstrate that there is a test (is there?) to determine a level of influence like there's a breathalyzer now for alcohol. Constantly paste up on the TV screen the pictures of the two-bit offenders who are in jail for a minor possession and have their loved ones voice-over the heartache of the loss -- ask for compassion on the lowly sinner, etc.
If the campaign in favor of legalization were run right, I think that it would pass.
But then, again, it would have to be something that would even come up for a vote.

But should Oklahoma only take a limited first big step by going only for voting to legalize medical marijuana only with rec purposes remaining illegal?

But should Oklahoma only take a limited first big step by going only for voting to legalize medical marijuana only with rec purposes remaining illegal?

I would hope that OK would def. make medical pot legal as soon as possible. I worked for a guy back in the 70s that had some type of cancer. He would smoke weed from a corn cob pipe everyday. He told me it was the only thing that he could to to eat. I don't know if it gave him an appetite or what but if he didn't have any weed he was able to eat anything and hold it down. This was a middle aged man at the time and he was always asking people if they knew where he could buy some. He said his doctor knew that he was smoking and gave his blessing. Sad to see this 1st hand knowing that if he got caught he would go to jail and this man was about the furthest thing from a criminal that you would ever see. He told me that he finally had to start growing it for himself because he didn't like trying to find it on the streets. He later passed away but I know for a fact that smoking the weed made his days go by much better. Pretty sad if you ask me. There's a natural product that could help people and it's against the law while any Joe can go by booze and jump in their car.

BTW,if it were up to me I would hope Ok would follow Colorado' law. This state could raise teachers pay and make the schools top notch with the taxes collected. If a person is over 21 and they want to smoke pot that should be their business and they shouldn't have to worry about going to prison for something like that. If you sit back and think about this it just blows my mind that someone could actually go to prison for smoking weed.

So write your two state legislators, asking them to pass a bill that will allow Oklahoma voters to vote to legalize medical marijuana in November. Doing that would sure beat all the fund raising and hard work needed to do that through the petition process. Don't let apathy keep rule on the issue.

My guess as to why some legislators don't have a positive response to this issue is that they and their family members have been blessed with very good health and can't begin to relate to what being sick with a difficult to treat disease is all about. Probably sheer ignorance plays a part as well. At a town hall meeting, my state senator admitted as to having lived under a rock when it comes to knowing about marijuana.

It helps with nausea for cancer patients. My MIL took the pill called marinol. Pot in a pill.

What's left after expenses, less 65% for the operators, does -- but are you familiar with "Hollywood accounting"?No sir I am not.

BTW,if it were up to me I would hope Ok would follow Colorado' law. This state could raise teachers pay and make the schools top notch with the taxes collected. If a person is over 21 and they want to smoke pot that should be their business and they shouldn't have to worry about going to prison for something like that. If you sit back and think about this it just blows my mind that someone could actually go to prison for smoking weed.I think you should be 18 and can smoke it anywhere you want as long as it is permitted, not just in your house. You can already buy cigarettes and smoke them pretty much anywhere at 18 years old, so why not weed? There should no regulations on how much you can buy and what kinds you can buy.

I think you should be 18 and can smoke it anywhere you want as long as it is permitted, not just in your house. You can already buy cigarettes and smoke them pretty much anywhere at 18 years old, so why not weed? There should no regulations on how much you can buy and what kinds you can buy.

Well you do have a point there. I figure if you are old enough to go fight battles for your country then you are an adult. Our country would never send children to fight their battles,would they?