OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma has adopted what some call the nation’s most permissive medical marijuana law, leaving some evangelicals concerned the drug could gain an increased hold on the state.
By a 57–43 percent margin, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788, which legalizes medical marijuana without specifying the ailments for which it may be prescribed. The law took effect July 26.
Several Southern Baptists spoke out against the measure, including U.S. Sen. James Lankford, Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma Executive Director Hance Dilbeck and Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission President Russell Moore.
Lankford, a Republican, expressed concerns over the impact of increased marijuana use, and said, “I just don’t know anyone who can say with a straight face, ‘The best thing for our families is to get more parents and grandparents to smoke marijuana.’”
The District of Columbia and 30 states now have laws legalizing medical marijuana to some extent. Nine states and the District of Columbia have legalized recreational marijuana.
Marijuana remains illegal under federal law. (BP)
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