^^^ agreed. Here’s the article:

Supporters of a petition to legalize recreational marijuana will begin collecting signatures to get on the statewide ballot.

Starting Tuesday, Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws has 90 days to collect the 94,910 signatures necessary to get State Question 820 before voters.

The petition would ask Oklahomans to legalize adult-use cannabis for anyone age 21 or older, and would impose a 15% excise tax on all recreational marijuana sales. That tax revenue would be divided among the state's General Revenue Fund, localities where sales occur, local schools, the court system and drug treatment programs.


The 7% excise tax on medical marijuana purchases would not change under the proposal.

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"We've seen success with the medical program, but we know there are still things that need to be fixed," campaign spokeswoman Michelle Tilley said. "We think that by allowing recreational marijuana to be a program that comes alongside our medical program, it's going to help alleviate some of the issues that we've seen with the medical program."


SQ 820 also would provide a pathway for some drug offenders to have certain marijuana-related offenses reversed and expunged.

The petition would establish a framework, including safety standards, quantity limits and other restrictions, for adult-use marijuana. If approved, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority would enforce the new law and regulate recreational cannabis use.

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"We want to be on the November ballot so the quicker that we can collect signatures and turn them in, the better," Tilley said.

Tilley
The group tried to get a similar petition on the ballot in 2019, but supporters were thwarted by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which made signature gathering nearly impossible. The previous proposed question would have amended the Oklahoma Constitution, whereas SQ 820 proposes statutory changes to state law.

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That means if SQ 820 passed, state elected officials could modify the law through the legislative process.

Since 2019, those involved with Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Reforms have been building up additional support among local cannabis and criminal justice reform supporters, Tilley said.


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The group also has support from New Approach PAC, a Washington-based organization that has spent millions supporting marijuana legalization efforts in other states.

More:Marijuana costs could rise. How businesses (and you) could be affected by new regulation

According to a recent campaign finance report, Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Reforms accepted $30,000 from the New Approach Advocacy Fund and $40,000 from Drug Policy Action, a nonprofit group based in New York that supports marijuana legalization and more lenient punishments for certain cannabis crimes.


Tilley said she thinks a majority of Oklahomans support legalizing recreational marijuana.

"We, obviously, wouldn't be stepping out here without some polling behind us," she said.

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Oklahomans for Sensible Marijuana Laws must turn in signatures by Aug. 1.

A second group that supports recreational cannabis soon could begin collecting signatures for two competing petitions.


Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action was just cleared by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to move forward with proposed constitutional amendments to legalize recreational marijuana and reform the state's medical cannabis program.

Once the secretary of state's office sets a date to begin signature gathering, ORCA will have 90 days to collect 177,957 signatures for each of its two initiative petitions.

From: https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/05/02/oklahoma-initiative-petition-legalize-recreational-marijuana-medical-cannabis-advances-signatures/7439077001/

^ Remove the 7% on medical and then I'll sign.

^ Remove the 7% on medical and then I'll sign.
Tax on medical should be removed. I still we get recreational weed in Oklahoma. I’m not a weed guy but I want to see this so the state can take in the tax dollars that will flood from Texas. It’s only a matter of time before Texas legalizes so let’s not waste this opportunity.

Tax on medical should be removed. I still we get recreational weed in Oklahoma. I’m not a weed guy but I want to see this so the state can take in the tax dollars that will flood from Texas. It’s only a matter of time before Texas legalizes so let’s not waste this opportunity.

the current medical law in Oklahoma is not really medical .. it is used as rec ...

the current medical law in Oklahoma is not really medical .. it is used as rec ...

Opinion but not factual. Thanks for that editorial.

the current medical law in Oklahoma is not really medical .. it is used as rec ...

I feel like the truth is somewhere in the middle. Unlike many states with MMJ, Oklahoma does not have a comprehensive list of medical conditions that would qualify a patient for a MMJ recommendation. Even podiatrists are allowed to recommend. That said, the physician recommendation form does have a section for ICD-10 codes for doctors to fill out specific diagnoses, though it's an optional section.

Seeing as how Oklahoma has well over 2,000 dispensaries, nearly double of any other state where weed is legal (medicinal or rec) as well as nearly double the percentage of MMJ card holders vs any other state (~10%), it does seem that Oklahoma has very lax guidelines on what is considered a medical need.

the current medical law in Oklahoma is not really medical .. it is used as rec ...
But it is medicinal and you do need a card to legally purchase it.

But it is medicinal and you do need a card to legally purchase it.
I have many friends that have just made up an excuse and paid the fee for the card just for recreation. The amount of people I know that tell me they have their card for a legitimate medical purpose I could probably count up on my hands.

I have many friends that have just made up an excuse and paid the fee for the card just for recreation. The amount of people I know that tell me they have their card for a legitimate medical purpose I could probably count up on my hands.
I understand but it’s still medicinal and you still need a card.

I feel like the truth is somewhere in the middle. Unlike many states with MMJ, Oklahoma does not have a comprehensive list of medical conditions that would qualify a patient for a MMJ recommendation. Even podiatrists are allowed to recommend. That said, the physician recommendation form does have a section for ICD-10 codes for doctors to fill out specific diagnoses, though it's an optional section.

Seeing as how Oklahoma has well over 2,000 dispensaries, nearly double of any other state where weed is legal (medicinal or rec) as well as nearly double the percentage of MMJ card holders vs any other state (~10%), it does seem that Oklahoma has very lax guidelines on what is considered a medical need.

I could be wrong but other medications do not have lists of qualifying conditions for prescription or recommendation

According to State Question 788, the proposed medical marijuana law approved by voters, doctors can issue recommendations using the same judgment they would for prescriptions. A physician can write a recommendation for any condition they see fit for medicinal cannabis treatment.

If it makes you feel good that should suffice, we all take medicine to feel good.

Like with narcotic pain killers there isn't a list of pain conditions and codeine is used to help with congested lungs

I understand but it’s still medicinal and you still need a card.

which you can get in a less then 5 min video chat

the current medical law in Oklahoma is not really medical .. it is used as rec ...

All the more reason to pass full recreational.

which you can get in a less then 5 min video chat

Same w/ a z-pak

All the more reason to pass full recreational.

that or allow out of state residents to get an Oklahoma medical card .. since it is legal might as well maximize revenue

that or allow out of state residents to get an Oklahoma medical card .. since it is legal might as well maximize revenue

Yea, Oklahoma is basically turning their nose to a giant pile of out of state money right now. As more states legalize, that easy out of state cash won't wait out there forever. Let's legalize recreational and start filling the coffers while the gettin's still good.

Once rec is passed, look for a trove of dispensaries off I-35 in Thackerville.

Once rec is passed, look for a trove of dispensaries off I-35 in Thackerville.

And the highway patrol fundraising sites!

that or allow out of state residents to get an Oklahoma medical card .. since it is legal might as well maximize revenue
Requiring a card no matter how easy will still yield less customers than going full recreational. I know several folks who just don’t want to get a card.

Once rec is passed, look for a trove of dispensaries off I-35 in Thackerville.
I’d say that for just about any road coming in from Texas lol. Hell Erick, OK’s revenue would probably double over night from the Amarillo traffic. I haven’t really seen too many dispensaries in New Mexico even though it’s probably a shorter drive. You also have Wichita Falls residents. The revenue for the state would be off the charts.

Yea, Oklahoma is basically turning their nose to a giant pile of out of state money right now. As more states legalize, that easy out of state cash won't wait out there forever. Let's legalize recreational and start filling the coffers while the gettin's still good.
At the same time, Oklahoma has made around $35 million just off the MMJ application fees alone. Rec is right around the corner in Oklahoma, but I get the baby steps many states are taking towards full legalization. Can't ruffle the voter's feathers about the devils lettuce.

Requiring a card no matter how easy will still yield less customers than going full recreational. I know several folks who just don’t want to get a card.Or can't get one.

Or can't get one.

At this point "can't" almost exclusively means "can't afford." I'm 100% sympathetic towards the concept of a $100 application fee + doctor's visit being a luxury many Oklahomans cannot afford. The fee is reduced to $20 for Medicare/Soonercare recipients and 100% disabled veterans. Many MMJ teledoc services offer money back guarantees for the ~1% of people that aren't able to be provided a MD recommendation.

At this point "can't" almost exclusively means "can't afford." I'm 100% sympathetic towards the concept of a $100 application fee + doctor's visit being a luxury many Oklahomans cannot afford. The fee is reduced to $20 for Medicare/Soonercare recipients and 100% disabled veterans. Many MMJ teledoc services offer money back guarantees for the ~1% of people that aren't able to be provided a MD recommendation.

if you have a job that has any sort of federal background check, you cannot get a medical card, because you will fail your federal check. So i don't think that means they can't afford. unless you mean they can't afford to lose their jobs.

if you have a job that has any sort of federal background check, you cannot get a medical card, because you will fail your federal check. So i don't think that means they can't afford. unless you mean they can't afford to lose their jobs.

I don't believe this is correct at all. Since a doctor's recommendation is required for medical marijuana, said "prescription" is considered protected health information (PHI) and is subject to HIPAA protections (yes, even under a federal background check). For example, nurses in Oklahoma are allowed to possess a medical marijuana card and are even allowed to test positive for THC (with some exceptions).

I don't believe this is correct at all. Since a doctor's recommendation is required for medical marijuana, said "prescription" is considered protected health information (PHI) and is subject to HIPAA protections (yes, even under a federal background check). For example, nurses in Oklahoma are allowed to possess a medical marijuana card and are even allowed to test positive for THC (with some exceptions).

medical card is a security clearance disqualifier .. this is a fact .. of course using "legal" rec mj is also a security clearance disqualifier ...

because MJ is still illegal everywhere in this Country

I don't think you can legally get a CDL if you have a medical MJ card.

I don't believe this is correct at all. Since a doctor's recommendation is required for medical marijuana, said "prescription" is considered protected health information (PHI) and is subject to HIPAA protections (yes, even under a federal background check). For example, nurses in Oklahoma are allowed to possess a medical marijuana card and are even allowed to test positive for THC (with some exceptions).

Yeah, a background check for a security clearance won't find anything medical. I've had my secret clearance update check 3 or 4 times now and nothing medical ever comes up. They can ask you if you have ever used illicit drugs but all you need to say is no and make sure you can pass any drug screen.

Maybe top secret because they interview co-workers, neighbors going back 10 years and you have to know the address of every place you have lived in the last 10 years and someone who knew you at that time and place and how to contact them.

Yeah, a background check for a security clearance won't find anything medical. I've had my secret clearance update check 3 or 4 times now and nothing medical ever comes up. They can ask you if you have ever used illicit drugs but all you need to say is no and make sure you can pass any drug screen.

Maybe top secret because they interview co-workers, neighbors going back 10 years and you have to know the address of every place you have lived in the last 10 years and someone who knew you at that time and place and how to contact them.

they talk to co worker / neighbors for Secret clearance ..

I don't think you can legally get a CDL if you have a medical MJ card.

Why do you think that and how would the DMV know (since I don't think the MMJ cardholder database is shared with any other agencies)?

they talk to co worker / neighbors for Secret clearance ..

Not for the military or the Post Office, only top secret do they talk to neighbors.

You still have to list every address you lived at for the last 7 years for secret so they can see if you have a criminal record for that city/county/state, I've had it done 3 times and once for a confidential clearance for a contract IT job at the post office.

Not for the military or the Post Office, only top secret do they talk to neighbors.

You still have to list every address you lived at for the last 7 years for secret so they can see if you have a criminal record for that city/county/state, I've had it done 3 times and once for a confidential clearance for a contract IT job at the post office.

lol for the military and military contractors they 100% do ..

lol for the military and military contracts they 100% do ..

Last I'm saying about this, I was active duty Air Force for 12 years and not once was a co-worker or neighbor interviewed in that 12 years and the contract was not military. Were you military before? Almost everyone in the Air Force has a secret clearance because most people have something to do with the aircraft for their job.

There are levels to secret as in T-1/2/3 so maybe a T-3 would prompt an interview.

Last I'm saying about this, I was active duty Air Force for 12 years and not once was a co-worker or neighbor interviewed in that 12 years and the contract was not military. Were you military before? Almost everyone in the Air Force has a secret clearance because most people have something to do with the aircraft for their job.

i was also active duty AF and now have been an DOD contractor for 20 years ... i have been interviewed for other peoples Secret clearance about 5 times this year .. and 100 +/- times over the last 20 .. .

Why do you think that and how would the DMV know (since I don't think the MMJ cardholder database is shared with any other agencies)?

They won't. MMJ database is protected in the same way any other bit of your protected health information is. Unless you personally divulge that information or are in a situation where your MMJ status is subpoenaed (never heard of a situation like this occurring). Of course if your employer requires drug screening that's a different story, but the original discussion was whether or not your MMJ status will show up on a federal background check. Which it will not.

i was also active duty AF and now have been an DOD contractor for 20 years ... i have been interviewed for other peoples Secret clearance about 5 times this year .. and 100 +/- times over the last 20 .. .

maybe it is just me than. One time I was interviewed for a coworkers TS clearance but not once was anyone I've known contacted for my secret clearance.

maybe it is just me than. One time I was interviewed for a coworkers TS clearance but not once was anyone I've known contacted for my secret clearance.

Agreed about Secret - to get mine when I worked for the AF (then afterwards for DISA), it was just standard, routine background checks, no interviews. For Top Secret, however, yes, neighbors/family/friends were interviewed. This was in the 1980s-1990s, though.

Not for the military or the Post Office, only top secret do they talk to neighbors.

You still have to list every address you lived at for the last 7 years for secret so they can see if you have a criminal record for that city/county/state, I've had it done 3 times and once for a confidential clearance for a contract IT job at the post office.When I said I can't get a card I was referring to my having to have clearance to have my job. Not anywhere near Top Secret though. The initial investigation included the investigator interviewing many of my family members, neighbors and previous employers. He even spent hours every night for a week parked down the street from my house. It seems to vary by agency a d I've heard ours is about the hardest to pass. I know a lot of people that fail our BG investigations but go right to another Fed Govt job and pass theirs. And there is a form we have to sign as part of initiating the investigation that is permission to access medical records. I have a great job and I'm not talking any chances. I'll deal with the pain.

Yeah, a background check for a security clearance won't find anything medical. I've had my secret clearance update check 3 or 4 times now and nothing medical ever comes up. They can ask you if you have ever used illicit drugs but all you need to say is no and make sure you can pass any drug screen...

But I mean…lying on a DOD application is a felony amirite

But I mean…lying on a DOD application is a felony amirite

IMO if you have a medical card you would be truthful in denying the use of illicit drugs.

IMO if you have a medical card you would be truthful in denying the use of illicit drugs.
Not as far as the Fed Govt sees it. We have received emails explaining that since pot is illegal nationally it will be treated as an illicit drug in Fed Govt employment regardless of whether it's legal in your area. Even the bill inching through Congress to nationally legalize pot excludes people that have to maintain Govt Clearance.

Not as far as the Fed Govt sees it. We have received emails explaining that since pot is illegal nationally it will be treated as an illicit drug in Fed Govt employment regardless of whether it's legal in your area. Even the bill inching through Congress to nationally legalize pot excludes people that have to maintain Govt Clearance.

We are all adults and if you work for the feds you are going to get tested eventually and if you fail you get fired and that's that. No need for semantics

IMO if you have a medical card you would be truthful in denying the use of illicit drugs.

But Marijuana is illegal federally... federal employees who work in states with legal Marijuana are under federal law, not state.

Not as far as the Fed Govt sees it. We have received emails explaining that since pot is illegal nationally it will be treated as an illicit drug in Fed Govt employment regardless of whether it's legal in your area. Even the bill inching through Congress to nationally legalize pot excludes people that have to maintain Govt Clearance.

Thanks for that. If the feds specifically say MJ and not just a catch phrase of "illicit drugs" that is a difference.

Our government putting anyone in a position of having to choose between "keeping a good job" and "reducing physical pain they experience" is straight-up cruelty. We shouldn't tolerate our government behaving that way.

Listen, I would be fully in support of a revised federal approach to THC, especially as it relates to medicinal use. But the fact remains that under federal law it remains classified as a schedule 1 substance, and is considered illegal from a federal standpoint. The Justice Department has simply chosen to take a hands off approach inside of states, but I'll promise you could still get rung up for transporting across state lines, among other things. Beyond that, lying on a federal job application or investigation is still a felony, whether you get caught or not. Some people would prefer to be on the right side of the law in that regard.

Last but not least, some people can't get medical cards or use THC if they are in safety sensitive jobs, as (most unfortunately) there is not a reliable test that differentiates between intoxication and habitual use, such as in a prescribed healthcare instance.

Regarding the mention of not getting a CDL, I can't recall if that requires drug testing, but it might. I will PROMISE you that for most jobs where someone is employed as a CDL driver they will be administered a drug test, and MMJ will not be an exclusion (safety sensitive). All of this is said in response to the conversation upthread where someone was saying that pretty much anyone should be able to get a card or use without worries. It's simply not true. There are many thousands of jobs out there where even medical use could lose someone their job.

Our government putting anyone in a position of having to choose between "keeping a good job" and "reducing physical pain they experience" is straight-up cruelty. We shouldn't tolerate our government behaving that way.I can see your point. And I don't disagree. I'm caught in a "I hurt constantly but don't want to be on opioids but I can't make near what I make in the private sector so pot is not an option. So I eat Tylenol like candy (with my Doctors approval and monitoring).

Oklahoma has a good thing with regulating cannabis; will need to tweak or tighten a few regulations as people begin to find loop holes here and there. Keep the legislators from totally destroying the original intent.

We passed this law despite Scott Pruitt attempting to make the laws so liberal & lenient it wouldn't appeal to the public. Voters figured this would be our best chance to get something along these lines passed--they delivered.

As an ex-Tax Commission agent, cannabis has been a BOOMING business that has brought in massive revenue! Every state should make it legal.

Not as far as the Fed Govt sees it. We have received emails explaining that since pot is illegal nationally it will be treated as an illicit drug in Fed Govt employment regardless of whether it's legal in your area. Even the bill inching through Congress to nationally legalize pot excludes people that have to maintain Govt Clearance.

I have a close relative whose best friend works for the feds and because of his position he won't get a medical card. He doesn't want to be on any list, so he just has my relative use his card to buy him pot. He's apparently not afraid of being tested and he is a freaking Assistant United States Attorney (not in Oklahoma).

I have a close relative whose best friend works for the feds and because of his position he won't get a medical card. He doesn't want to be on any list, so he just has my relative use his card to buy him pot. He's apparently not afraid of being tested and he is a freaking Assistant United States Attorney (not in Oklahoma).I have tossed around that idea. I've been in my position for 21 years and never has anyone at our facility been tested. But I'm afraid that as soon as I had my wife, daughter, etc. get pot for me they'd do some random test. I have way too good a thing to lose.

I have a close relative whose best friend works for the feds and because of his position he won't get a medical card. He doesn't want to be on any list, so he just has my relative use his card to buy him pot. He's apparently not afraid of being tested and he is a freaking Assistant United States Attorney (not in Oklahoma).

Isn't the "list" (actually, database) not to be shared with any other agency? Wasn't there some news about that a while back and OMMA said their database is not shared at all?

Isn't the "list" (actually, database) not to be shared with any other agency? Wasn't there some news about that a while back and OMMA said their database is not shared at all?I've had prospective hires denied for records that were legally "locked" by court order or expunged by court order. I'm convinced the Fed Govt has access to anything they want access to.

Isn't the "list" (actually, database) not to be shared with any other agency? Wasn't there some news about that a while back and OMMA said their database is not shared at all?

Well, he's not in Oklahoma so OMMA doesn't apply. But, as an AUSA I would expect he would know well what kind of records the feds can access if they want. And would also probably know if federal employees are ever tested or not. He told me all this directly when I was visiting once, that he was worried about getting a card and and that he was not worried about being tested.

I can see your point. And I don't disagree. I'm caught in a "I hurt constantly but don't want to be on opioids but I can't make near what I make in the private sector so pot is not an option. So I eat Tylenol like candy (with my Doctors approval and monitoring).

You must have a bionic liver if that is the case or you are eating tons of milk thistle and NAC

Well, he's not in Oklahoma so OMMA doesn't apply. ...

Oops, just realized that info was in the last word of your post, skimmed over that apparently, nevermind then.

Anyone have a product recommendation for some type of edible? My card will need renewal in October.

I've only tried a little container of Wana sour edible gummies, not sure how to dial in the proper dose with these things. Was looking for some thing a little more predictable but I've encountered a bit of variance with seemingly te same size dose...hmm, perhaps it takes some regularity to adjust ?

Also was reading about the initiative petition having just 90 days to acquire 91,000 signatures to put a legalization question on the ballot.
https://nondoc.com/2022/05/03/recreational-marijuana-sq-820-signatures/

https://yeson820.com/

Anyone have a product recommendation for some type of edible? My card will need renewal in October.

I've only tried a little container of Wana sour edible gummies, not sure how to dial in the proper dose with these things. Was looking for some thing a little more predictable but I've encountered a bit of variance with seemingly te same size dose...hmm, perhaps it takes some regularity to adjust ?

Also was reading about the initiative petition having just 90 days to acquire 91,000 signatures to put a legalization question on the ballot.
https://nondoc.com/2022/05/03/recreational-marijuana-sq-820-signatures/

https://yeson820.com/

There was a guy getting signatures at the Pump yesterday afternoon so I imagine the full court press will come soon

Missouri got their recreational proposal on the ballot: https://tulsaworld.com/ap/business/missouri-ballot-measure-on-recreational-marijuana-advances/article_3673e9d6-cfb4-11ec-80b9-7f352fdb986c.html

Hopefully Oklahoma will do the same.

I can see your point. And I don't disagree. I'm caught in a "I hurt constantly but don't want to be on opioids but I can't make near what I make in the private sector so pot is not an option. So I eat Tylenol like candy (with my Doctors approval and monitoring).

Man, I feel for you. Have you ever tried Curcumin for your pain? There is a wonderful company right here in OKC, https://ultrabotanica.com/, that makes the best curcumin I've ever tried, and I've tried a bunch. They also make other products that you might be interested in. Good luck.

Man, I feel for you. Have you ever tried Curcumin for your pain? There is a wonderful company right here in OKC, https://ultrabotanica.com/, that makes the best curcumin I've ever tried, and I've tried a bunch. They also make other products that you might be interested in. Good luck.
I haven't tried that one. I'll give it a shot.