Lawmakers selected to work on group looking into medical marijuana implementation
OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — A bipartisan group of lawmakers has been selected to work on the implementation of medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
Senate Pro Tempore-designate Greg Treat and House Speaker Charles McCall announced they would form the bicameral and bipartisan group after the State Board of Health added two controversial amendments to the rules regulating marijuana.
The group will begin meeting July 25 and all meetings will be open to the public. Lawmakers will meet with medical marijuana stakeholders.
"Oklahoma voters made their choice, and the Senate will work to ensure State Question 788 is implemented efficiently, effectively and safely in accordance with the voters’ choice." Treat said.
McCall hopes that lawmakers can create their recommendations on permanent framework quickly.
“Oklahoma is in unchartered territory, and there are still a lot of unanswered questions and differing opinions on how to create the best regulatory framework that ensures patients have access to safe and effective medicinal products. I hope it can be done quickly, but more importantly, it needs to be done right.” McCall said.
The following lawmakers will make up the group:
- Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, co-chair
- Sen. Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle
- Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher
- Sen. Julie Daniels, R-Bartlesville
- Sen. Michael Brooks, D-Oklahoma City
- Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, co-chair
- Rep. Dustin Roberts, R-Durant
- Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee
- Rep. Josh West, R-Grove
- Rep. Carol Bush, R-Tulsa
- Rep. Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs
- Rep. Ben Loring, D-Miami
- Rep. Jacob Rosecrants, D-Norman
The Oklahoma State Board of Health president says that a special meeting will be called to consider making changes to the marijuana rules.
