State of Oklahoma Archives: on Drugs
Brad Henry:
Invest in drug courts: put low-risk offenders on better path
As part of our efforts to be tough and smart on crime, we have invested in drug courts and mental health courts to put low-risk offenders on a more productive and cost-effective path. These programs are having dramatic results. They offer solutions
to problems before they escalate to the costly criminal justice system.I urge you to remain tough and smart on crime by investing in mental health and substance abuse services. We can save lives today and taxpayer dollars tomorrow.
Source: Oklahoma 2010 State of the State Address
Feb 1, 2010
Chris Powell:
Marijuana isn't a gateway drug
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?
A: Strongly oppose.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Connie Johnson:
Advocate for decriminalized and medical marijuana
A Democrat who supports legal marijuana is publicly building support for a possible governor campaign. In a Facebook post, former state Sen. Connie
Johnson asked her supporters to post their ideas to improve the state. "Friends, please travel this journey with us as we transition this page to support the next call to public service, running for governor of the state of Oklahoma," Johnson posted.
Johnson ran for U.S. Senate in 2014 but got less than one-third of the vote.
It was her first and, until now, only statewide candidacy after serving in the Oklahoma Senate. She has advocated for decriminalized and medical marijuana.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Feb 4, 2017
Connie Johnson:
Fund programs to combat opioid epidemic
Provide adequate funding for mental health and substance abuse programs in order to avert the health crisis in our state. Respond to Oklahoma's troubling rate of opioid and methamphetamine use by
fostering intense collaboration between all levels of government--including much-needed increased federal investment--as well as local communities in order to truly solve this problem.
Source: 2018 Oklahoma Senatorial website ConnieForGovernor.com
Oct 15, 2017
Connie Johnson:
Ending the war on drugs would improve criminal justice
Q: How would you fix Oklahoma's prison system?Johnson: "We improve the criminal justice system by removing the situation that got us here: the war on drugs."
Johnson then went on to decry the amount of women locked up in
Oklahoma, saying it then leads to children without mothers who go to schools where counselors aren't available. It perpetuates a cycle, she said, that is in part fueled by private prisons.
Source: Norman Transcript on 2018 Oklahoma governor debate
Jan 7, 2018
Connie Johnson:
Strong proponent of legalizing medical marijuana
Republican gubernatorial candidates mostly avoided taking a clear stance on whether they will support a state question legalizing medical marijuana. Both Democratic candidates are supporters of the question, if not the timing of the vote.Gov. Mary
Fallin announced that State Question 788 will be on the June 26 statewide ballot, which also will include primary races for governor and many other offices.
Passage of the question would allow people with a state-issued medical license approved by a
board-certified physician to possess certain amounts of marijuana. The question would also establish a regulatory regime for growing and selling marijuana. Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia; Oklahoma has never voted
on the issue.
Former state Sen. Connie Johnson is a strong proponent of legalizing medical marijuana. She authored legalization bills that failed to clear the Legislature, and she helped with the petition that resulted in State Question 788.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma governor race
Jan 8, 2018
Drew Edmondson:
Backs new drug law making possession of drugs a misdeameanor
Edmondson said recent drug law changes by 2 state questions make simple possession of drugs a misdemeanor--even a 2nd or 3rd offense. "So people's whose offense that is the simple possession of marijuana are not going to be prison eligible,"
he said. "Now possession with intent or actual distribution--that's another matter. It's the DA's discretion as to whether to file that as a felony." Edmondson said such measures will eventually help reduce the prison population.
Source: Edmond Sun on 2018 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Feb 20, 2018
Ervin Yen:
Opposes medical marijuana without qualifying conditions
On legalization: "All Schedule 1 drugs have qualifying conditions," he said, such as the proper dosage and potential side effects. Oklahoma's medical marijuana proposal has no qualifying conditions, Yen said. As written, marijuana "could be prescribed
for any reason or for no reason whatsoever," he said. Yen authored two Senate bills that would have provided guidelines for regulation of medical marijuana, but both measures died in the House of Representatives.
Source: OKC Friday on 2022 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jul 6, 2018
Frank Keating:
Supports community sentencing in drug courts
This budget provides for increasing the use of community sentencing in drug courts to assure that costly prison cells are used for the most dangerous and violent offenders. We are admitting to our system non-violent, non-chronic drug offenders who need
to be in community sentencing, where they are punished at the community level inexpensively. We should not use scarce tax dollars for that purpose. First time drug offenders need to be clean and sober and community sentencing is the means.
Source: 2001 State of the State address to Oklahoma legislature
Feb 5, 2001
Gary Richardson:
If people vote to legalize medical marijuana, I'll honor it
Gov. Mary Fallin announced that State Question 788 will be on the June 26 statewide ballot, which also will include primary races for governor and many other offices. Republican candidate Gary Richardson, of Tulsa, said, "I have said from the beginning
of my campaign that the people are the ultimate legislative body according to our state constitution and as Governor I will honor the will of the people when they vote on SQ788 this June."
Passage of the question would allow people with a state-issued medical license approved by a board-certified physician to possess certain amounts of marijuana.
The question would also establish a regulatory regime for growing and selling marijuana. Medical marijuana is legal in 29 states and the District of Columbia; Oklahoma has never voted on the issue.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma governor race
Jan 8, 2018
Joe Dorman:
No stance on marijuana legalization nor medical marijuana
Dorman doesn't mention marijuana on his website,
and a call to his office confirmed that he would not be taking a stance on either the legalization of marijuana or medical marijuana in Oklahoma and does not expect to do so between now and election day.
Source: Reason Magazine on 2014 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jun 18, 2014
Joe Dorman:
Legalize marijuana, based on Genesis 1:29
State Sen. Constance Johnson is pushing for the legalization of marijuana as a religious issue. She reportedly said Genesis 1:29 would be the "basis" for her campaign to legalize marijuana
in the state. "God created this wonderful, miraculous plant and we know that is has been vilified for the last 100 years, and it's time to change that in Oklahoma," she was quoted as saying.
Source: Reason Magazine on 2014 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jun 18, 2014
Joe Maldonado:
Marijuana isn't a gateway drug
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Marijuana is a gateway drug"?
A: NO.
Source: OnTheIssues interview of 2018 Oklahoma Governor candidate
May 15, 2018
Kendra Horn:
Decriminalize marijuana; let states chart their own course
[On drug legalization]: "To empower local businesses in this industry to succeed, we need to eliminate outdated federal regulations and allow Oklahoma to decide its own marijuana policy. By descheduling marijuana, this bill gives our state the
opportunity to chart its own path forward. The MORE Act (Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act) also corrects for decades of harm caused by misguided federal policies that have had a disproportionate impact on people of color."
Source: The Oklahoman on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Dec 5, 2020
Kevin Stine:
Find regulations for marijuana, not just bans
Q: What's the thing you're most proud of during this first year on the City Council?A: One of the biggest things is the marijuana issues. A lot has been discussed about business licenses to dispensaries and grow ordinances or bans since 2014, before
I was on the council, and now it's been decided to put the vote to the people. I voted for this because it's a compromise measure. Even if I don't personally agree with recreational marijuana, the best option is to find regulations, not just bans.
Source: Rogue Valley Messenger on 2016 Oklahoma Senate race
Jan 7, 2016
Kevin Stitt:
Supports legalizing medical marijuana if strictly medicinal
Republican gubernatorial candidates mostly avoided taking a clear stance on whether they will support a question legalizing medical marijuana. In an interview, Kevin Stitt, running for the GOP nomination, said, "If a doctor's going to prescribe it
for legitimate purposes, I'd be supportive of that. What I'm concerned about with the bill - and I've talked to some of the physician groups - the way it's written it looks a little broad, and it looks a little too much like recreational use to me.
Source: The Oklahoman on 2018 Oklahoma Gubernatorial race
Jan 8, 2018
Kevin Stitt:
Help non-violent offenders: identify roots of addiction
We are number one in the nation for incarceration. To move the needle, it will require us to change the way we see the person who is in a cycle of incarceration for non-violent crimes. It is why my budget requests: $1.5 million to Women in
Recovery, a public-private partnership to help women identify the roots of their addictions and develop life skills, and $10 million to the County Community Safety Investment Fund
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 4, 2019
Kevin Stitt:
Vetoed expansion of state medical marijuana program
Tulsa World analysis: House Bill 3228, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, would have allowed medical cannabis patients to receive deliveries from dispensaries within a 10-mile radius or--for rural residents--a
dispensary in their county. It also would have barred the Oklahoma State Department of Health from sharing patient and caregiver records with other state agencies or political subdivisions, including law enforcement, without a court order.Veto
message by Governor Kevin Stitt: HB 3228 is a lengthy bill that alters Oklahoma's medical marijuana program. The language in the bill makes substantial policy changes to the medical marijuana program that were not fully scrutinized through
normal legislative procedures before the bill was received by my office in the middle of the night Saturday.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-5-4 on May/15/20; Passed House 67-11-22 on May/15/20; Vetoed by Gov. Stitt on May/21/20
Source: Tulsa World on Oklahoma voting record HB3228
May 21, 2020
Kevin Stitt:
Voters for medical marijuana were sold a bill of goods
When Oklahomans voted for Medical Marijuana, they were sold a bill of goods. The state question was misleading, and it has tied our hands as we regulate the industry. Because of that state question, Oklahoma charges just $2500 for a commercial license.
As a result, we have 7 times the growers than California with just 10% of the people. Next door in Arkansas, they have 8 growers. We have 8,300. You know as well as I do that not all of that product is being sold legally.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 7, 2022
Madison Horn:
Treat marijuana as personal choice not criminal problem
Oklahoma Democratic Senate candidate Madison Horn tweeted, "As I meet folks across the state, I continue to hear about the need for the federal decriminalization of marijuana and re-examination of the scrutiny of existing marijuana-related sentences.
For far too long, we have treated marijuana as a criminal justice problem instead of a matter of personal choice and public health."
Source: Marijuana Moment on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Jun 21, 2022
Mary Fallin:
Women in Recovery: abuse programs avoid incarceration
We're asking our citizens to take responsibility for their lifestyles and their wellbeing. It's no secret that many Oklahomans struggle with addiction issues that can lead to incarceration. As a result, Oklahoma is one of the highest rated states in the
nation for female incarceration. As we know, the costs to our state and our communities don't end with the original offender. Children with a parent in prison are five times more likely to end up in the correctional system. As Oklahomans, we must always
place a priority on protecting our citizens and keeping our streets safe. But we can be tough on crime and smart on crime.That's why I'm continuing to offer my full support to programs like "Women in Recovery" and other initiatives that address
substance abuse, prevent incarceration, and allow more families to stay together. By fighting the hold that substance abuse has on our communities, we can make Oklahoma healthier and safer while working towards reducing our incarceration rates.
Source: 2011 Oklahoma State of the State Address
Feb 7, 2011
Mary Fallin:
Prevent prescription drug abuse from occurring
We need to get serious about addressing prescription drug abuse. While we have spent years successfully combating and reducing meth labs and the use of methamphetamines in Oklahoma, studies show that prescription drug abuse actually poses a greater
danger to our citizens.Currently, 81% of drug-related deaths in Oklahoma are caused by prescription drugs. One survey shows that nearly 8% of Oklahomans are abusing prescription painkillers.
That's twice the national average, and it is unacceptable.
As a state, it is time to offer the resources that prevent drug abuse from occurring in the first place.
We must work to make sure life-changing treatments are available to those who are struggling with addiction issues. To that end, I have allocated new funding to strengthen prescription drug abuse prevention and treatment initiatives.
Source: 2013 State of the State to Oklahoma Legislature
Feb 4, 2013
Mary Fallin:
Legal marijuana provides no substantial benefit
Gov. Mary Fallin will face two lesser-known opponents in next week's GOP primary who have made their support for legalization of marijuana an issue in the campaign.While it is an unusual issue to highlight in such a conservative state, criminal
defense attorney Chad Moody--known around Oklahoma City as "The Drug Lawyer"--and computer network operator Dax Ewbank, a libertarian-leaning Republican from Guthrie, both said they support the full legalization of cannabis. The issue arises as two
separate signature gathering efforts are underway in Oklahoma to get marijuana questions on the ballot--one to legalize the medicinal use of the drug and another authorizing its complete legalization.
Fallin said while she's interested in combating the
growing number of Oklahoma inmates with substance abuse problems, legalizing marijuana even for medicinal purposes is not on her to-do list. "I just don't see that it provides a substantial benefit to the people of Oklahoma," Fallin said.
Source: Greenfield Reporter on 2014 Oklahoma gubernatorial race
Jun 18, 2014
Scott Pruitt:
Thought EPA logo looked like marijuana leaf; wanted change
After taking charge of the Environmental Protection Agency, administrator Scott Pruitt reportedly wanted to change the
agency's logo because it reminded him of a marijuana leaf, The New York Times reported. The logo features a blue and green abstract image that resembles a flower with four leaves.
Source: Business Insider on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Apr 11, 2018
Stephanie Bice:
Supports expansion of state medical marijuana program
Tulsa World analysis: House Bill 3228, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, would have allowed medical cannabis patients to receive deliveries from dispensaries within a 10-mile radius or--for rural residents--a
dispensary in their county. It also would have barred the Oklahoma State Department of Health from sharing patient and caregiver records with other state agencies or political subdivisions, including law enforcement, without a court order.Veto
message: HB 3228 is a lengthy bill that alters Oklahoma's medical marijuana program. The language in the bill makes substantial policy changes to the medical marijuana program that were not fully scrutinized through normal legislative procedure
before the bill was received by my office in the middle of the night Saturday.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 38-5-4 on May/15/20; State Sen. Bice voted YES; Passed House 67-11-22 on May/15/20; Vetoed by Gov. Stitt on May/21/20
Source: Tulsa World on Oklahoma voting record HB3228
May 15, 2020
T.W. Shannon:
$4 million to establish unit to go after illegal pot growers
Inhofe's office announced he requested $4 million in federal funds to help combat illegal Oklahoma marijuana growing operations. Inhofe's chief of staff, Luke Holland, announced the request during an Oklahoma Sheriffs Association meeting. Holland said
Inhofe requested a direct appropriation through the U.S. Justice Department to allow the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs to establish a unit to combat "transnational and national drug organizations."
Source: US News & World Report on 2022 Oklahoma Senate race
Jul 7, 2021
Kevin Stitt:
We have deactivated over 800 illegal marijuana farms
Protecting Oklahomans means fully funding our law enforcement. When we back the blue, we are creating safer communities, safer schools, and a safer Oklahoma. This also extends to combating drug and human trafficking and cracking down on
illegal marijuana operations in our state. We have deactivated over 800 illegal marijuana farms, completed 165 arrests, and seized over 600,000 pounds of illegal marijuana.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Oklahoma legislature
Feb 6, 2023
Nathan Dahm:
Opposed expansion of state medical marijuana program
Tulsa World analysis:House Bill 3228, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, would have allowed medical cannabis patients to receive deliveries from dispensaries within a 10-mile radius or--for rural residents--a
dispensary in their county. It also would have barred the Oklahoma State Department of Health from sharing patient and caregiver records with other state agencies or political subdivisions, including law enforcement, without a court order.
Veto message:HB 3228 is a lengthy bill that alters Oklahoma's medical marijuana program. The language in the bill makes substantial policy changes to the medical marijuana program that were not fully scrutinized through normal legislative
procedure before the bill was received by my office in the middle of the night Saturday.
Legislative Outcome:Passed Senate 38-5-4 on May/15/20; Sen. Dahm voted NO; Passed House 67-11-22 on May/15/20; Vetoed by Gov. Stitt on May/21/20
Source: Tulsa World on Oklahoma voting record HB3228
May 15, 2020
Abby Broyles:
Decriminalize marijuana; introduce federal regulation
The people of Oklahoma have spoken, as have those in many other states, and voted to make medical marijuana legal. It's time to update our antiquated federal law and bring it in line with the states. Abby will work to decriminalize marijuana.
This is both a public health issue and a dollars and cents issue. People are already consuming these products; we must introduce federal regulation to protect the health and safety of the public.
Source: 2020 Oklahoma Senate campaign website AbbyBroyles.com
Jul 26, 2020
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026