Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday said she thinks a state question appearing on the June 26 ballot, if passed, would allow the recreational use of marijuana in Oklahoma.
Voters heading to the polls next week will get to decide whether to legalize medical marijuana through State Question 788.
Fallin was asked about the state question Monday after a Board of Equalization meeting. She chairs the board.
“I think the state question is written so open-ended that it basically allows recreational marijuana in the state of Oklahoma,” Fallin said.
If it is approved, the governor said, she will call lawmakers back into special session to devise a regulatory framework.
She said the ballot measure, if approved, gives the state 30 days to implement it, which many say is a too short a time frame.
Lawmakers considered measures on regulation last session in case the state question passes, but none made it through the process.
“The Legislature chose not to act upon it,” Fallin said. “They chose to wait and see if the state question passed or not, so we will have to deal with it more than likely in a special session if it does pass.
“Then we will have 30 days after it passes, around July 26, to have more guidelines set up in statute to be able to implement it.”
Fallin was asked how she planned to vote on State Question 788.
“I am going to let the people decide what they want to do at this point, but I do have clear concerns,” she said.
Frank Grove of Tulsa, chairman of the Vote Yes on 788 committee, said the ballot measure would create a law comparable to those in the 30 states that already allow medical marijuana.
Recreational use does not require a doctor’s approval, while medical consumption does, Grove noted.
He said critics cite concerns that the ballot measure does not specify any qualifying conditions for prescriptions for medical marijuana.
Grove said that is in line with modern science and research.
“It takes the power away from the politicians and puts it in hands of the people and medical professionals,” he said.
