Thread by @CathJSweeney

I’m at @SQ788NotMedical’s Press event. They’ll be focusing on how much marijuana #SQ788 would allow residents to possess. (I’m told this is oregano and regular candy.)

Pat McFerron, partner at CMA Strategies, has been speaking for the organization of medical associations, business groups and law enforcement organizations. “I want to be clear and upfront. Our coalition is not opposed to medical marijuana.”

McFerron: 788 allows residents to carry 3 ounces on their person. He holds up a tray of rolled oregano, which has a label, “85 joints.” He said that’s a conservative estimate, and that no one would argue you need that much marijuana for medical purposes.

There’s a large bowl of gummy bears with a sign that reads, “72 oz. edibles.” There are large packages showing what pounds of marijuana look like to illustrate what the coalition projects residents who grow would be able to harvest with a grow permit.

Oklahoma State Medical Association President-elect Larry Bookman said he’s seen it in the paper that OSMA has been called a conservative anti-marijuana group. (The JR wrote that each of the coalition members reject 788 only because it’s too lax.)

Bookman: “You can’t pass a law that allows all strands.” There are too many kinds (strains) and there needs to be a limitation. It also has an overly extended licensing period“What disease have you ever seen ...that a doctor gives a prescription for two years with no follow up?”

Bookman: We need legislation based on science and not “Dr. Feelgood quackery.”

Dr. Robert McCaffrey: Also says that he isn’t against medical marijuana, but this lax version. Especially because of a lack of restrictions on smokable marijuana. “We know products of combustion are not healthy.” Smokable still has bronchial irritants and carcinogens.

McCaffrey: We’ve made some good progress in denormalizing use of cigarettes. It runs the risk of making public smoking acceptable again.

McCaffrey: There is a push nationwide to raise the legal age of tobacco use to 21 to keep it from high school kids. And this measure gives access to 18 year olds.

Dr. Leroy Young, an occupational physician, said he treats workers injured on the job. This doesn’t do enough to prevent workplace injuries. Studies have shown negative effects of marijuana include lowered reaction time, memory etc. “All of these come into play in the workplace.”

Paul Abner of Oklahoma Faith Leaders: We want to try to do our best to communicate with our leaders to ensure they know this isn’t a medical marijuana bill but would create new problems. We’re concerned about the effect on our families and that this will exacerbate drug issues.

John Smaligo, president and CEO of the Association of Builders and contractors of Oklahoma: “Our members have a keen focus on safety on the job site.” There is only one reference to safety in this, and its food safety. SQ788 puts workers and the public at risk.

Smaligo also talks about slow reaction times, lower coordination, etc and how that creates dangers in the workplace. It also hampers drug-free workplace policies. “I think it creates a major problem for our employers.”

Smaligo: It creates a new class of protected workers, which will be costly in litigation.

McFerron weighs in on the reference to food safety. He noted that edibles are often candy, brownies or other sweets and that it’s difficult to keep children’s hands off those kinds of foods.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Rodd Moesel: “Many of our farms are employers in the community. There are safety issues, and we’re right in the middle of grain harvest right now. Farm equipment can cause serious injury and death if not used carefully. Livestock can too.

Moesel: The agriculture industry is already facing a worker shortage, as is the rest of rural Oklahoma. This could make it worse.

Moesel: We’ve seen the damage that opioids and meth have wrought on the state’s social fabric. “We’re concerned about broadening the gateway opportunities.”

Tuttle Mayor Aaron McLeroy: My mother died from cancer, and I would have done anything to give her relief, but I don’t support SQ788. It raises questions that no one can answer. As a municipality,we’re concerned about police,firefighters and EMTs. Are they protected? No one knows

McLeroy: “In Oklahoma, prescriptions are sales tax exempt.” Will this be? If so, the 7 percent rate would not be high enough.