For example, he said State Question 788 specified the destination of proceeds from medical cannabis licensing and sales, which limits the impact on the state’s economy. He said he is aware recreational use is divisive within the Oklahoma medical cannabis community but he wanted to follow through on a promise he made to activists during his work on cannabis legislation last year.

Tulsa attorney Ron Durbin was among those who worked with Fetgatter and other lawmakers to implement SQ 788. He said he was approached for assistance with drafting the bill, though he said his top priority is House Bill 3228, a pending bill that he said will make needed amendments to the medical framework.

“If we do this the right way, we can implement something in Oklahoma that’s unique and doesn’t create a two-tiered, two-license system,” Durbin said, adding that he “doesn’t want to hurt what we already have.”

“People, for job or stigma reasons or maybe they just don’t like government, may not want to get a (patient) license from the state. It would afford people 21 and older the opportunity to be part of the program, or not, and it affords the state some additional tax revenue.”