{"id":1332,"date":"2012-04-03T07:34:10","date_gmt":"2012-04-03T07:34:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/?p=13934"},"modified":"2012-04-03T07:34:10","modified_gmt":"2012-04-03T07:34:10","slug":"politicians-in-oklahoma-send-confusing-messages-on-drug-policy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/politicians-in-oklahoma-send-confusing-messages-on-drug-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Politicians In Oklahoma Send Confusing Messages on Drug Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"wp_fb_like_button\" style=\"margin:5px 0 5px 5px;float:right;height:100px;\"><script src=\"http:\/\/connect.facebook.net\/en_US\/all.js#xfbml=1\"><\/script><fb:like href=\"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/politicians-in-oklahoma-send-confusing-messages-on-drug-policy\/\" send=\"true\" layout=\"standard\" width=\"450\" show_faces=\"false\" font=\"arial\" action=\"like\" colorscheme=\"light\"><\/fb:like><\/div><p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/oklahoma-capital.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"oklahoma capital\" title=\"oklahoma capital\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-13952\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/politicians-in-oklahoma-send-confusing-messages-on-drug-policy\/attachment\/oklahoma-capital\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-13952\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/oklahoma-capital-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>We have all had authoritative figures in our lives tell us \u201cI would never ask you to do anything that I was not willing to do myself.\u201d\u00a0 When we actually believe our parents or employers, it will usually result in a healthy level of respect for that individual.\u00a0 Conversely, if you do not trust the hollow words, it can actually be antagonistic.<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers in Oklahoma have been sending confusing messages to residents of the Sooner State.\u00a0 Oklahoma is known for its harsh stance on any drug conviction.\u00a0 Low level<a href=\"http:\/\/norml.org\/laws\/ok\" target=\"_blank\"> first offense marijuana possession<\/a> can result in one year in prison.\u00a0 Even more baffling was a law passed last year aimed at those who convert marijuana into hash.\u00a0 Although there have only been a handful of hash production cases in Oklahoma in the past decade, they felt compelled to enact <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/2011\/05\/13\/oklahomas-new-hashish-law-unduly-harsh-critics-say\/\" target=\"_blank\">one of the harshest drug laws<\/a> in United States history.\u00a0 Even the first conviction for hash production in Oklahoma now carries the potential for a life sentence (minimum 2 year sentence).\u00a0 With an already overcrowded prison system, many legal analysts have been shocked at Oklahoma\u2019s handling of marijuana and hash laws.<\/p>\n<p>The hash law has created even more confusion.\u00a0 Was there a hash epidemic we all missed?\u00a0 In the class warfare we have seen developing over the past several years, it has become a popular idea (started first by Arizona) to target and require drug testing for those receiving government assistance.\u00a0 These laws typically target the younger welfare recipients, but never require Medicare participants to prove their moral superiority via urine samples.\u00a0 The whole concept sounds well and good until any financial analysis is performed, which is surprising because the financial guru candidate for president, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/i\/politics\/2012-election\/video-mitt-romney-wants-drug-test-welfare-recipients\" target=\"_blank\">Mitt Romney, has also championed<\/a> the idea of drug testing welfare recipients.\u00a0 However, further analysis shows that since drug tests are not free of charge, that it will <a href=\"http:\/\/illmaterial.com\/why-drug-testing-welfare-recipients-is-unconstitutional-and-stupid\/3386\" target=\"_blank\">actually cost taxpayers far more.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma has joined <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/2012\/02\/24\/nearly-2-dozen-states-consider-plans-to-drug-test-welfare-recipients-as-issue\/\" target=\"_blank\">over 20 other states <\/a>that are considering this new legislative trend. \u00a0There was an interesting twist in the case of Oklahoma\u2019s law.\u00a0 The proposed legislation included provisions to also require anyone seeking public office to pass a drug test.\u00a0 Democrats opposing the welfare recipient drug testing on the grounds of constitutionality, had added the provision.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cityofbethany.org\/2011\/01\/oklahoma-senator-david-holt\/\" target=\"_blank\"> GOP Sen. David Holt<\/a> categorized the action as a \u201cstunt\u201d and removed the language from the bill that would require legislators to submit to drug tests.\u00a0 Although it may indeed have been a bit of political grandstanding by state democrats, would it not have provided validity to the bill if those who sign it also abide by it?<\/p>\n<p>According to politicians, the only people where drug abuse is a concern is for welfare recipients.\u00a0 Thankfully no politicians or Medicare eligible members carry the potential for substance abuse.\u00a0 \u00a0Even those on welfare have voting rights and politicians work for the people.\u00a0 If the legislation saved money it would be worth considering, though this still would not preclude it from the constitutionality discussion.\u00a0 We should no longer allow our politicians to say \u201cDo as I say and not do as I do.\u201d\u00a0 Elected officials often forget, but they work for us and should be abiding by the same guidelines we do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" width=\"350\" height=\"263\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/oklahoma-capital.jpg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"oklahoma capital\" title=\"oklahoma capital\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"attachment wp-att-13952\" href=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/news-and-articles\/politicians-in-oklahoma-send-confusing-messages-on-drug-policy\/attachment\/oklahoma-capital\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" class=\"alignleft size-thumbnail wp-image-13952\" src=\"http:\/\/www.marijuana.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/oklahoma-capital-150x150.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" \/><\/a>We have all had authoritative figures in our lives tell us \u201cI would never ask you to do anything that I was not willing to do myself.\u201d\u00a0 When we actually believe our parents or employers, it will usually result in a healthy level of respect for that individual.\u00a0 Conversely, if you do not trust the hollow words, it can actually be antagonistic.<\/p>\n<p>Lawmakers in Oklahoma have been sending confusing messages to residents of the Sooner State.\u00a0 Oklahoma is known for its harsh stance on any drug conviction.\u00a0 Low level<a href=\"http:\/\/norml.org\/laws\/ok\" target=\"_blank\"> first offense marijuana possession<\/a> can result in one year in prison.\u00a0 Even more baffling was a law passed last year aimed at those who convert marijuana into hash.\u00a0 Although there have only been a handful of hash production cases in Oklahoma in the past decade, they felt compelled to enact <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/us\/2011\/05\/13\/oklahomas-new-hashish-law-unduly-harsh-critics-say\/\" target=\"_blank\">one of the harshest drug laws<\/a> in United States history.\u00a0 Even the first conviction for hash production in Oklahoma now carries the potential for a life sentence (minimum 2 year sentence).\u00a0 With an already overcrowded prison system, many legal analysts have been shocked at Oklahoma\u2019s handling of marijuana and hash laws.<\/p>\n<p>The hash law has created even more confusion.\u00a0 Was there a hash epidemic we all missed?\u00a0 In the class warfare we have seen developing over the past several years, it has become a popular idea (started first by Arizona) to target and require drug testing for those receiving government assistance.\u00a0 These laws typically target the younger welfare recipients, but never require Medicare participants to prove their moral superiority via urine samples.\u00a0 The whole concept sounds well and good until any financial analysis is performed, which is surprising because the financial guru candidate for president, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.opposingviews.com\/i\/politics\/2012-election\/video-mitt-romney-wants-drug-test-welfare-recipients\" target=\"_blank\">Mitt Romney, has also championed<\/a> the idea of drug testing welfare recipients.\u00a0 However, further analysis shows that since drug tests are not free of charge, that it will <a href=\"http:\/\/illmaterial.com\/why-drug-testing-welfare-recipients-is-unconstitutional-and-stupid\/3386\" target=\"_blank\">actually cost taxpayers far more.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Oklahoma has joined <a href=\"http:\/\/www.foxnews.com\/politics\/2012\/02\/24\/nearly-2-dozen-states-consider-plans-to-drug-test-welfare-recipients-as-issue\/\" target=\"_blank\">over 20 other states <\/a>that are considering this new legislative trend. \u00a0There was an interesting twist in the case of Oklahoma\u2019s law.\u00a0 The proposed legislation included provisions to also require anyone seeking public office to pass a drug test.\u00a0 Democrats opposing the welfare recipient drug testing on the grounds of constitutionality, had added the provision.\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/cityofbethany.org\/2011\/01\/oklahoma-senator-david-holt\/\" target=\"_blank\"> GOP Sen. David Holt<\/a> categorized the action as a \u201cstunt\u201d and removed the language from the bill that would require legislators to submit to drug tests.\u00a0 Although it may indeed have been a bit of political grandstanding by state democrats, would it not have provided validity to the bill if those who sign it also abide by it?<\/p>\n<p>According to politicians, the only people where drug abuse is a concern is for welfare recipients.\u00a0 Thankfully no politicians or Medicare eligible members carry the potential for substance abuse.\u00a0 \u00a0Even those on welfare have voting rights and politicians work for the people.\u00a0 If the legislation saved money it would be worth considering, though this still would not preclude it from the constitutionality discussion.\u00a0 We should no longer allow our politicians to say \u201cDo as I say and not do as I do.\u201d\u00a0 Elected officials often forget, but they work for us and should be abiding by the same guidelines we do.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[52,1332,224,56,511,9,68,51,225,70,227,1333,1,3,61,1334],"tags":[2632,3902,2802,2636,3085,2647,2631,2803,5,2805,3903,6,3904],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1332"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1332"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1332\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1332"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1332"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cannitrol.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1332"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}