Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt just made history: He became the first governor in the nation to call for the repeal of legal weed in a fiery State of the State speech, as he let loose on the damage legal marijuana has done to communities around the Sooner State.
This is a big deal. Given the sea change in public sentiment around marijuana, Stitt is leading by example–and giving Americans everywhere, not just Oklahoma, what they have been crying out for.
Stitt is correct on this issue given what the science says about weed. His position is also, increasingly, the politically sound move: support for legal marijuana is crashing to historic lows.
Check out the text of his full remarks on weed below:
As Governor, my top priority has always been keeping Oklahomans safe.
One of the greatest threats to public safety is the out-of-control marijuana industry.
When Oklahomans voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2018, we were sold a bill of goods.
Out of state liberal activists preyed on the compassionate nature of Oklahomans.
Then, it opened up Pandora’s box.
Now, we have more dispensaries than we do pharmacies.
Think about that…
These storefronts hide an industry that enables cartel activity, human trafficking, and foreign influence in our state.
Adria Berry at Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and Donnie Anderson at Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics have done incredible work to hold back the tide of illegal activity.
This industry is plagued by foreign criminal interests and bad actors, making it nearly impossible to rein in.
We can’t put a band-aid on a broken bone.
Knowing what we know, it’s time to let Oklahomans bring safety and sanity back to their neighborhoods.
Send the marijuana issue back to the vote of the people and shut it down.
Stitt is dead right on all counts. Legal marijuana is a driver of crime, disorder, and decay. And all efforts to “safely” regulate it? Well, those amount to exactly what Stitt calls them.
Band-Aids on broken bones.
Stitt gets it. And so do increasing numbers of voters and politicians and policymakers nationwide. That’s why measures to repeal legal marijuana are advancing in Maine and Massachusetts–with proud SAM guidance and support–and in other states like Arizona.
Stitt had the courage to be the first. We suspect he won’t be the last . . .