It is not difficult to find something to get excited about this primary season in Oklahoma. With a major state question in play, a logjam of candidates in the gubernatorial primaries, numerous state House and Senate seat openings and remnants of political tension from the April teacher walkout underscoring it all, intrigue is not lacking […]
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Game change
Sen. Constance Johnson Credit: Mark Hancock Senate Bill. 902 would direct the state Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to “develop and adopt rules permitting the prescription of medical cannabis by physicians” to patients with debilitating medical conditions. The legislation would also enable that board to set fees for the production, distribution and consumption of […]
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Going to pot
Sen. Brian Crain, R-Tulsa, who chairs the state Senate Health and Human Services Committee, will determine if the interim study merits a legislative hearing. He said he is open to the educational value of such a study, but not legalizing marijuana. “I don’t want to prejudge their efforts, but my main concern is the recreational […]
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It’s time for medical marijuana
Seventeen states and the District of Columbia currently allow for the limited legalization of cannabis, when recommended by a physician. At a minimum, it is time for Oklahoma lawmakers to allow for an honest and open debate of the issue. Marijuana and its organic constituents are some of the most investigated therapeutically active substances in […]
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Funny people
Brad Gregg After President Obama voiced support for gay marriage, the Oklahoma Senate wasted little time passing what Tim Matheson in Animal House would have termed “a really futile and stupid gesture.” A resolution authored by Sen. Clark Jolley, R-Edmond, and overwhelmingly passed by the Senate on May 14 reaffirmed that the Senate supports marriage […]
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Protesters vs. ‘Personhood’
Dubbed the Oklahomans Against the Personhood Act Rally, the protest on the north side of the Capitol featured remarks from state Sen. Constance Johnson (pictured), D-Holdenville, who told the crowd she had a message for her Senate colleagues who passed the legislation earlier this month. “Women brought you into this world, and women will vote […]
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What is life
In that spirit, it’s worth noting that the first bill passed by the Oklahoma state Senate this session wasted no time diving into the so-called culture war. By a 34-8 vote, the Senate passed a measure Feb. 15 stating that life begins at conception. Senate Bill 1433 ensures that fetuses have the same full rights […]