A Justice Department Memo Says New Policy Is Nonenforcement.

Despite a U.S. Department of Justice memo this week indicating Indian governments could grow and sell marijuana on tribal lands, officials said don't expect a thriving, legal pot industry anytime soon in Oklahoma.

Technically, marijuana is still an illegal drug under Oklahoma and federal law.

But a memo released this week by Justice Department officials said tribes could expect the same nonenforcement of certain aspects of federal drug laws on reservations and tribal lands as in states that have legalized pot.

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The Next Great Roadside Attraction

THE AMERICAN VOICES website recently requested reader comment about a portable Breathalyzer test that soon will be available to help police identify drivers impaired by marijuana. Here's how self-described scarf knitter Angela Dixon responded:

"Can't people just tell the truth when they're high? Why do we need all these fancy gadgets?"

And, this from Paul Desroches, a products tester:

"Wouldn't it be easier just to pull over everyone who is actually driving the speed limit?"

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(AP) - As more states approve the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, an Oklahoma-based electronic cigarette retailer is looking to build a national franchise.

Marijuana is illegal under federal drug laws. But voters in Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., approved ballot measures Tuesday to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, joining Washington state and Colorado.

And in more than a dozen other states, medical marijuana is available.

The growing availability of legal pot opens the door for Tulsa-based Palm Beach Vapors to market a method for producing a cannabis oil product that can be inhaled through a common e-cigarette, according to CEO and co-founder Chip Paul. "This is a wave that's kind of sweeping the nation," said Paul, whose company is looking to patent the method and has already signed licensing deals in California and Colorado for what it calls the M-System. He said he intends to set up franchise locations in other states.

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E-Cig Company Sees Great Opportunity

OKLAHOMA CITY - As more states approve the medicinal and recreational use of marijuana, an Oklahoma-based electronic cigarette retailer is looking to build a national franchise.

Marijuana is illegal under federal drug laws. But voters in Oregon, Alaska and Washington, D.C., approved ballot measures Tuesday to legalize the recreational use of marijuana, joining Washington state and Colorado. And in more than a dozen other states, medical marijuana is available.

The growing availability of legal pot opens the door for Tulsa-based Palm Beach Vapors to market a method for producing a cannabis oil product that can be inhaled through a common e-cigarette, according to CEO and co-founder Chip Paul.

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"Considerable downside to decriminalization of pot" (Our Views, Oct. 13) criticized state Sen. Connie Johnson for advocating decriminalizing marijuana use. Yet any thinking person has to recognize the wisdom of Johnson's position. Pot shouldn't be categorized as a Schedule I drug. It's not addictive like opiates or amphetamines. Despite the claims of law enforcement officials, it's not a "gateway drug."

Enforcement of laws against marijuana possession, use and sale result in racial inequities in arrest and prosecution of perpetrators. A New York Times editorial on Oct. 11 noted that an equal percentage of blacks and whites use illegal drugs, but blacks are arrested three times as often. A Seattle study found that 16 percent of observed drug dealers of the five most dangerous drugs were black, but they represented 64 percent of arrests for dealing those drugs.

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MARIJUANA legalization was highlighted in a recent debate between Oklahoma candidates for a U.S. Senate seat. This issue continues to bubble up in political discussions, so it's important that associated policy decisions be based on facts. Research continues to identify significant consequences to recreational marijuana use.

The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, state Sen. Connie Johnson of Oklahoma City, supports decriminalizing marijuana use. She defended that stance in the debate. Her opponent, U.S. Rep. James Lankford, R-Oklahoma City, isn't a fan of that idea.

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WHEN government closes a window, the market opens a door. Sadly, this describes the methamphetamine problem in Oklahoma.

This state has been a national leader in the meth manufacturing crackdown, finding ways to restrict the purchase of ingredients used to cook meth. But as fewer meth "labs" are being found and shut down by state authorities, the number of meth-related overdose deaths continues to rise.

The reason is that the domestic supply disruption has been met with a foreign supply influx. This isn't a new development, but the latest numbers are startling. Meth demand isn't going down, but the supply chain has added more links to Mexico.

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Here's a riddle: How many knowledgeable people does it take to suggest a policy change before society adopts their sage advice? Buried in all the recent news about ISIS, horrific weather lashing the United States, the violence of NFL players and the like, came a hardly noticed news item about the idea of legalizing drugs. Now, stay with me on this. It's important.

The Global Commission on Drug Policy, an illustrious panel including former U.N. Secretary Gen. Kofi Annan, former U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz, former chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Paul Volcker, former presidents and prime ministers of nearly a dozen countries and others issued a detailed study about why it's smart - for reasons both humanitarian and financial - to legalize marijuana and other drugs. Yes, all drugs.

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Cannabidiol (CBD) may help control seizures in some children. CBD is a nonintoxicating, refined whole plant product of a special marijuana species. It's low in THC, the intoxicating component of marijuana, but CBD is illegal in Oklahoma. State law needs to be changed, as 16 states already have.

The incidence of children with a current diagnosis of a seizure disorder is conservatively about 6.3 per 1,000 in the U.S., or about 5,900 in Oklahoma. With available medications, about half derive real benefit - with many suffering side effects, which can be severe. Judging from the extreme interest of parents with epileptic children who attended a recent lecture at Children's Hospital, all 5,900 sets of parents will be at their physician's doorstep the moment CBD becomes available.

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Backers of a medical marijuana initiative collected only about half the signatures needed to put the issue before voters, the Oklahoma secretary of state's office said Thursday.

A total of 75,384 signatures were collected, but more than 155,216 were needed to put it on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The proposed initiative was intended to classify marijuana as an herbal drug to be regulated by the state Health Department. More than three dozen medical conditions, from asthma to urinary incontinence, would qualify a person to get a medical card through a doctor to receive marijuana.

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The Marijuana Extract May Help Children With Dravet Syndrome.

With wavy brown hair and an impish grin, 6-year-old Morgan Adler had all the stylists vying for his attention during a recent visit to his mom's beauty salon.

Morgan decided instead to strike up a quiet conversation with an elderly woman as her hair color processed, gently nudging his way into the seat next to her.

Taylor Adler said watching her son's kindness in that moment, and many others, melted her heart.

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Many believe that reform to drug laws is appropriate, and I welcome that debate. I believe we need to continue to explore evidence-based prevention, access to treatment, and alternatives to incarceration. But substance abuse is a public health issue, as well as a criminal justice problem. I do not believe that legalization of marijuana solves the issues raised in the debate on drug policy.

We must consider the public health problems associated with increased availability of marijuana. A review of some of the facts cited by the Office of National Drug Control Policy is important for people to consider before they decide this issue.

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As a longtime practicing attorney engaged in criminal defense, I have handled hundreds of marijuana-related cases in city, state and federal courts throughout Oklahoma, and nationally.

I have witnessed the damaging effects to individual liberty and a multitude of barriers to legitimate employment from its classification as a Schedule I controlled substance.

Aside from generating huge amounts of dollars for use by law enforcement agencies in fighting a "war" that cannot be won, supporters of continued criminalization of marijuana ultimately will see it fail.

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"Hey, Jane." "Yes, Dick?" "Now that Oklahoma has legalized marijuana, let's go watch mother and father get high. Just think, Jane, in a few years we can join them and it will be a family thing."

"Gee, Dick, what a wonderful world."

"Just think, Jane, when the whole country legalizes pot, the drug cartels will have to lower their prices on the really hard drugs to compete with the marijuana."

"Gee, Dick, the whole country can get turned on and really drop out. What a wonderful country."

"Yes, Jane, and when we develop respiratory and psychological problems, we can use Oklahoma's state insurance program to help us. What a wonderful country.

"Hey, Jane, do you think Spot and Fluffy would like a brownie?"

Ben Hoke, Tulsa

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Pryor Times - Prohibition does not work.

This is the mantra of the Oklahoma Coalition Against Prohibition, which is circulating a petition to decriminalize medical marijuana.

The organization assisted another advocacy group who set up a petition table in Pryor last weekend.

"Our mission is to seek the improvement of quality of life of Oklahomans by seeking to end prohibition," the OKCAP website says. "In Oklahoma cannabis prohibition has adversely impacted the quality of lives of Oklahomans; their freedom, the state's agriculture, economic growth, family structure, employment opportunities, healthcare and generally many other aspects of normal life for a human being."

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STATE Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Oklahoma City, hopes to become Oklahoma's next U.S. senator even as she's hitched her political wagon to the cause of marijuana legalization. We'll soon know if Johnson's fellow Democrats believe marijuana is the path to renewed electoral success in Oklahoma.

Supporters have begun gathering signatures to place the proposed State Question 773 on the ballot. The measure would legalize possession of one ounce of marijuana for personal use and legalize possession of three ounces for "medical" use.

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The establishment of a petition-signing effort for the legalization of medical marijuana has produced a buzz around Ardmore ... both good and bad.

Oklahomans for Health began gathering signatures for the petition Saturday morning in the parking lot of the Ardmore Public Library. While several hundred have taken the time to sign the petition, other residents have been concerned about the group's right to have the petition on city property.

Jennifer O'Steen, Ardmore city attorney, said the city had received a couple of calls, and the group is not in violation.

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TULSA - Supporters of an initiative petition to put a medical marijuana state question to a November vote said Thursday they are experiencing increased interference from authorities statewide.

The Tulsa World reported Tuesday allegations by Chip Paul, chairman of Oklahomans for Health, that Tulsa police disrupted petition-circulation efforts at locations that were predisclosed online four times last week.

Thursday, Oklahomans for Health said the disruptions have become more frequent and widespread, with law enforcement officers reportedly harassing volunteers in three other cities - Oklahoma City, Broken Arrow and Norman - on Wednesday.

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I have a hard time believing marijuana is a miracle cure. It has been around for centuries and a better case has been made for it being illegal.

It might well be a more convenient and cheaper way to relieve pain, just like alcohol and opiates. But is this a reason to legalize marijuana?

While a possible vote might be only to allow its usage for medical purposes, it is only a small step to allow for greater use. Just look at the western states.

We are succeeding in reducing tobacco usage, after decades of work. Do we really want to begin another challenge?

Chris Columbus, Tulsa

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OKLAHOMA CITY - A second marijuana petition was filed Friday with the Oklahoma Secretary of State.

Supporters hope to let voters decide whether or not marijuana should be legal in Oklahoma.

Another petition currently circulating seeks to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes.

Both require 155,216 signatures.

Organizers of the more expansive petition include Sen. Constance Johnson, D-Forest Park, Oklahoma City attorney David Slane and Republican gubernatorial candidate Chad Moody. Johnson is running for U.S. Senate.

Johnson said she tried for eight years to change the state's marijuana policies, to no avail.

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