Oklahoma's Medical Marijuana Debacle

Let's talk a moment about what's going on here in Oklahoma.

First and foremost, this state is wrought with greedy politicians and corruption. Think back to when they introduced toll roads and casinos with the solemn promise that the proceeds would go to improving the education system and classrooms. Where the profit actually ended up was... (Drumroll please)... Privatizing the for-profit prison system and padding politicians pockets.
The powers that be, then proceeded to fill up said prisons, using questionable means in many cases. Prison is Oklahoma's biggest industry.

Breaking the law can carry harsh consequences but the playing field seems unlevel at best. Many crimes can carry light sentences, especially if you are Caucasian with money and an attorney. Oklahoma prisons are filled to the brim thanks to a push by the local agencies to make more drug arrests while fewer for other index crimes. According to 2016 OSBI statistics that despite the rise in index crimes, the number of arrests for those offenses fell by over 10%. In comparison, arrests for low level drug offenses (possession of marijuana, let's be clear), have spiked over 16%. Additionally, being a minority increases the incarceration rate 3 times higher. Don't even get me started on how taking funds from the classroom and handing them to the prisons impacts it's students. Our juvenile system is also currently bursting at it's seams.

Weighing in, at the other corner we have Big Pharma. The driving force behind our broken healthcare system.
Let's just skim over Mary Fallin.

crook·ed
ˈkro͝okəd
adjective

bent or twisted out of shape or out of place.
"his teeth were yellow and crooked"
synonyms:bent, twisted, misshapen, deformed, malformed, contorted, out of shape, wry, warped, bowed, distorted
"a crooked spine"

informal
dishonest or illegal.
"a crooked business deal"
synonyms:dishonest, unscrupulous, unprincipled, untrustworthy, corrupt, corruptible, venal;

It's been said, "Shit rolls downhill" also known as "Trickle-down economics".

Back on topic, thankfully there are some progressive thinkers in our state. They have organized two prominent groups behind the drive to advance Medical Marijuana in Oklahoma.
Oklahoman's For Cannabis and Green The Vote are leading the charge to legalize and eventually decriminalize cannabis.
Now this is a monumental task they have undertaken. Oklahoma is a bible thumping, backwoods, good ole boy, greasy palmed state.
Finally, just within this year we had CBD allowed in the state. Additionally, organizers had gathered enough signatures state wide on the MMJ petition to get SQ788 on the ballot. Surprisingly, it passed with 57% of the vote. Normally, a special session would be called to discuss terms and conditions. Our esteemed representatives opted out of that in favor of a secret meeting, behind closed doors, to write in their own special interest amendments. These included, having a licensed pharmacist on staff at all dispensaries, also excluded anything in smokable form.
Currently there is also a big scandal surrounding the people involved in this secret meeting. This entails blackmail and fabricating death threats.

Highly suspect.

Meanwhile, the people are indignant because they voted and their voices were not heard. Consequently, Green The Vote and Oklahomans For Cannabis are collecting signatures once again for a petition. This petition will move SQ796 and SQ797 onto November's ballot. The backlash of the majority will be delivered in the form of statewide legalization and recreational use of cannabis, respectively. I'm hopeful.

As a Canadian relocated, I'm just a spectator watching this all unfold.

I've said all of that to say this. What a gorgeous plant! I can't wait to have a few growing in my garden. ❤