The Tulsa Regional Chamber has joined the "SQ 788 is NOT Medical" coalition of organizations opposing a ballot measure to legalize medical marijuana in Oklahoma.
"This bill comes across, really, as more or a recreational marijuana bill and one that really ties the hands of employers as well as putting employers at severe risk of liability," said Tulsa Regional Chamber President and CEO Mike Neal.
Members of "SQ 788 is NOT Medical" include the Tulsa County Medical Society, Oklahoma Hospital Association and the Catholic Conference of Oklahoma.
Chamber leaders met with medical marijuana supporters and opponents in the past few weeks. While they see the potential benefit of medical marijuana for some people, Neal said State Question 788 doesn’t go far enough regulating it.
"Our main concern is that the law is not an adequate balance between the needs of those who could benefit from medicinal use and the needs of employers, law enforcement, schools, landlords and health care providers," Neal said.
SQ788 lets adults who obtain a medical marijuana license legally possess up to 3 ounces of marijuana on their person and up to 8 ounces at home, six mature plants, six seedlings, 1 ounce of concentrated marijuana and 72 ounces of edibles.
Neal said by allowing two-year licenses with a doctor’s signature the proposition creates a "protected class" of employees that can be impaired at work.
"And, really, severely weakens an employers’ ability to fulfill safety and legal responsibilities that they are required to do for the public and for their customers, their businesses, their shareholders, et cetera," Neal said.
SQ788 allows employers to fire license holders who use or possess marijuana at work. Hiring, firing and other employer actions could not be influenced by someone simply possessing a medical marijuana license or a license holder testing positive for marijuana.
State Rep. John Paul Jordan and Sen. Ervin Yen both ran medical marijuana legislation, but their bills stalled after leaving their respective chambers.
A special session has been discussed if voters approve SQ788.
