Tulsa NORML | Blog

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin Does Not Support Marijuana Legalization

August 4th, 2011
by Garret Overstreet, Executive Director

Governor Mary Fallin hosted a Facebook Town Hall Meeting today online.  After a number of people asked various questions, dozens seeking her support for medical marijuana, Governor Fallin responded by saying she doesn’t support legalizing marijuana altogether.  Like many politicians before her, she stated that it leads to other drug use (false), causes fatalities (false), and ruins lives (false).  She started off her message by saying how wonderful technology is today to help reach her audience, though she may not have realized that the same technology can potentially turn away tens of thousands of voters.

It is upsetting to individuals who support patients’ rights, as many constituents were asking about medical marijuana.  We already knew she doesn’t support marijuana legalization or recreational use, but that was not the intended discussion.  Even if there are thousands of arguments with documented data supporting a change in marijuana law reform as a whole, ensuring patients safe access to appropriate medication is the primary concern for voters.  With over 50 individuals asking questions, 18 people wanted to know her thoughts about medicinal marijuana.  With 692 likes for all the various questions, 400 likes were related to medical marijuana.  Very few in comparison were asking strictly for recreational legalization alone, which is a whole other issue.

I would like to point out a few key points that Governor Fallin stated that were concerning and arguable.

Governor Fallin says she spends roughly 4 to 5 hours every week with the Pardon & Parole Board with requests from those in prison, who are eligible or recommended for parole.  Presumably, that is roughly 10 percent of her time in office dealing with drug abuse.  She mentioned how it sickens her heart to see people ruining and wasting their lives in prison due to their substance abuse.  She mentioned that most people who have abuse problems start with marijuana.  If it wasn’t marijuana, it might be with tobacco, alcohol, pharmaceuticals.  People’s lives get out of control and they form addictive habits not because of marijuana, but because of the nature of wanting to abuse drugs, marijuana is just the most popular.  Most people who use marijuana never end up using other drugs, in fact, less than 1% of marijuana consumers end up using harder narcotics like cocaine or heroin.  New studies show that marijuana can potentially help curb addictions in those dangerous drugs.

She mentions they could have been in a better place than prison, which is absolutely true... unfortunately, we arrest marijuana consumers, not because they’re using marijuana, but because it is illegal to use marijuana, despite its ongoing popularity.  Since its prohibition, use has risen, though tobacco use has dropped without ever having to criminalize it.

She claims that marijuana could lead to possible substance abuse of other drugs.  So could huffing glue, drinking whiskey, smoking cigarettes, or any number of problems in people’s lives that make them want to get high.  Why give them the option when dealing with drug dealers to pick between all the dangerous drugs instead of having a safer alternative like marijuana available that causes no risks?

Governor Fallin's says she has reviewed roughly 475 requests for parole this past month.  She estimates 90% of those up for parole are dealing with some form of substance abuse, most of which started smoking marijuana though got into other things.  As mentioned prior, the gateway theory has no relevance, as drug users will be drug users, no matter if you take the safe drugs away or not.  Only in prohibition, will drug designers create new legal alternatives that create far more harmful effects.

She states there are too many risks involved, though besides the gateway theory, she only gave the example of one... those driving under the influence and it causes fatalities.  People smoke and drive anyways, people drink and drive (which is way more dangerous if you’re comparing.)  Though if marijuana was legal, and there were proper educational channels about drugged driving, people would be more inclined to use it at a convenient time for them, not just when they think they can get away with it.  Drugged driving is as bad as drunk driving.  No one would argue that it is okay to be impaired behind the wheel of the car, though they’re arresting people who aren’t high, or driving, or breaking any laws outside of being in possession.  We're also creating new laws to punish cannabis consumers even more all the time.

Her explanation was summarized in less than 2 minutes about the problems associated with marijuana, though it makes up the most popular issue almost every time they open up to the public for questions.  It is unfair that she will spend several minutes discussing the problems with healthcare, immigration problems, the economy, and state rights, and not look at how marijuana directly affects all those issues.  Over half of her constituents and Oklahoma voters who liked questions on the page wanted to know her opinion, though she spent the least amount of time discussing the matter and made false claims about the use of marijuana.  She spent more time talking about turkey hunting than marijuana law reform.

Another fact I would like to point out is Oklahoma tax payers spend over $120 million every year arresting and incarcerating cannabis consumers.  Wouldn’t it make more sense to receive tax dollars off those who already use it and take out the criminal element that funds gang violence and wars at the border?  We’re all on the same team, we want less people using drugs, we want to stop wasting money, and we want to disassociate youth with using marijuana.  Though the only way we can accomplish any of those goals is by establishing a regulated program, especially for patients who need safe access.  We need to stop arresting patients, stop putting people in jail, and focus on the real issue of fighting addiction rather than exacerbating it through incarceration.

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Support Joplin NORML Activists After Tornado

May 22nd, 2011
by Garret Overstreet

Joplin NORML's, Kelly Maddy, wife Adriel, brother Kyle, and soon-to-be sister-in-law Kelsi's houses were both destroyed in a devastating tornado Sunday, May 22nd.  Please donate to help our colleagues and friends get back on their feet and back to fighting the cause.

"On a personal note, Kelly Maddy got me involved in NORML and helped get Tulsa NORML started, along with several other chapters.  He works dilligently in the community and has raised thousands of dollars in relief funds for countless causes.  His wife and brother have opened their doors and lives to me, I owe them more than condolences, which is why I'm asking you to please lend a helping hand and give back to Kelly, Adriel, Kyle, and Kelsi, as they have given years, literally volunteering thousands of hours in supporting other great causes and relief aids without ever asking for anything in return.

This tornado may have only hit Missouri today, but it hit the hearts of many in other states."

-Garret Overstreet, Executive Director
Tulsa NORML 

Pictures of the Damage

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Tulsa NORML's October Meeting Postponed

October 19th, 2010
by Garret Overstreet

Tulsa NORML's President, Garret Overstreet, is in Washington DC this week, so this week's meeting for October 20th has been postponed. If you know someone who planned on attending, please inform them of the changes. We will keep you posted on the upcoming date for the next Tulsa NORML meeting! Get in touch with Garret Overstreet or Michael Swaffar for more information! Thanks for your continued support!

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New Website Launched

June 24th,2009
by Garret Overstreet

Tulsa NORML has a new website!  There will be constant updates, so check back often!

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