39 of Oklahoma’s 48 State Senators urge NO Vote on SQ 820

39 of Oklahoma’s 48 State Senators Urge NO Vote on SQ 820

(February 28th) A group of 39 State Senators representing voters all across the state released a letter today urging Oklahomans to reject State Question 820.    Those 39 Senators represent more than 81% of Oklahomans. 

“I always appreciate it when I know where an elected official stands on important issues, so I wanted to make my voice heard.  I told a few colleagues I was going to speak out and quickly found out that they wanted their position known as well,” said Senator Lonnie Paxton. 

“On this topic especially, it is easy to speak out because passage of this state question would be disastrous to Oklahoma,” Paxton continued. 

The letter cites a number of reasons to oppose SQ 820.  Among these are:

• The wording in this state question does not limit the THC levels permitted.
• The maximum $25 penalty for violating laws related to smoking marijuana in public is not a deterrent and will lead to more Oklahomans being exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke.
• This state question permits smoking and use of marijuana around toddlers and infants.
• Because of the passage of SQ 780 in 2016, minor marijuana possession charges are no longer punishable by imprisonment, so SQ 820 is not needed for this purpose.
• Out-of-control illegal marijuana-growing operations have brought organized crime and violence to Oklahoma. SQ 820 will only make that worse.

“As I talked to my colleagues, it was clear they wanted to help voters cut through some of the clutter of the campaign,” Paxton stated.  “We all agree, more marijuana usage does not help our state and we encourage Oklahomans to vote NO on March 7,” Paxton concluded.

The 39 State Senators join a substantial list of elected Oklahomans who have recently made their opposition to SQ 820 known.  Among these are both of Oklahoma’s U.S. Senators, James Lankford and Markwayne Mullin, Governor Kevin Stitt, Attorney General Gentner Drummond and Congresswoman Stephanie Bice.  In addition, the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and Oklahoma District Attorneys’ Association, two organizations largely comprised of elected officials, have also voiced their opposition to SQ 820.

The full text of the letter and a list of signatories accompanies this release.

To the Voters of Oklahoma:

We the undersigned Oklahoma State Senators encourage our fellow Oklahomans to join us in voting NO on State Question 820 on March 7.

There are many reasons to vote against SQ 820.  Among these, in no particular order or priority, are:

• Oklahoma does not benefit from expanded use of marijuana.  Marijuana consumption correlates with workplace injuries, greater absenteeism, and lower educational attainment.  Additionally, it is linked to increased cases of psychoses and schizophrenia.
• The wording in this state question does not limit the THC levels permitted.
• The maximum $25 penalty for violating laws related to smoking marijuana in public is not a deterrent and will lead to more Oklahomans being exposed to second-hand marijuana smoke.
• This state question permits smoking and use of marijuana around toddlers and infants.
• This state question makes it more difficult for courts to address marijuana issues in custody and visitation cases.
• Our state’s medical marijuana system is slowly improving and adding recreational will make it even more difficult to get that system to where Oklahomans think it should be.
• The implementation of SQ 788 has led to greater black-market marijuana and organized crime in the state, including violence and unstable situations, particularly in rural Oklahoma.  Passing SQ 820 would increase this concern.
• Because of the passage of SQ 780 in 2016, minor marijuana possession charges are no longer punishable by imprisonment, so SQ 820 is not needed for this purpose.
• Out-of-control illegal marijuana-growing operations have brought organized crime and violence to Oklahoma. SQ 820 will only make that worse.

Regardless of which reasons cause our, or your opposition, join us in voting NO to SQ 820 on March 7.