Oklahoma, Tulsa County Republicans condemn Health Board's medical marijuana decision

OKLAHOMA CITY (KOKH) — Republican leaders in the state's two biggest counties are the latest to rip the State Board of Health's decision on governing medical marijuana in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma and Tulsa County Republican Party leaders issued a statement Monday accusing the Health Board of bypassing the State Legislature and say it "thwarted the will of the people" in response to the board's decision to draft rules regarding medical marijuana's usage in the state.

“The OSBH’s actions are just the latest signal to the people and our legislators that there is a power-hungry bureaucracy at work within our state agencies and boards,”said Okalhoma County Republican Chariman Daren Ward.

The OSBH board imposed rules barring smokable medical marijuana and requiring dispensaries to have a pharmacist on staff at all times. GOP officials also blasted the board for not taking public comment during the meeting when the decisions were made.

“The ‘we know better attitude’ expressed by the OSBH and the shocking approval by our current Governor shows contempt for the liberties and the rights we express at the ballot box as citizens,” said Tulsa County Republican Chairman David McLain.

Ward also blamed several top Republicans in the legislature for failing to act following the board's controversial decision.

“We commend Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall and Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat for their great concern and response in this matter,” said Daren Ward. We ask that they move as quickly as possible to resolve this matter. Our country is a constitutional republic, and state government, under the United States Constitution and its amendments, is supposed to respect the voice of the people and due process.

Both Ward and McLain have encouraged the public to contact lawmakers and push for a fix for the issue.

Several lawmakers have called on Governor Fallin to to enact a special session to create rules for medical marijuana. She has, repeatedly, declined to do so.