Oklahoma
Oklahomans need more education about cannabis’ risks | Opinion
Oklahoma Gov. Stitt wants to shut down state’s marijuana industry
Gov. Kevin Stitt warns of dangers posed by the marijuana industry in Oklahoma, linking it to public safety threats and criminal activities.
Since the passage of State Question 788 legalized medical marijuana, Oklahoma has seen dramatic increases in marijuana use. In its first two years, the state issued more than 178,000 medical marijuana patient licenses. Today, nearly one in eight Oklahomans, or 320,000, holds an active medical marijuana license.
Despite its rapid expansion, the state’s medical marijuana program has been lacking two very important components: physician education and public information on the side effects of cannabis.
New findings about cannabis use and how it can create other health concerns are still emerging, including how marijuana can interact with commonly prescribed drugs such as cholesterol and heart medications, antidepressants and blood thinners. Cannabis use can even affect how a person’s body responds to anesthesia during surgery, often altering the type and amount of medicine a physician uses.
Unlike other states, Oklahoma does not have a limit on THC content, which can result in widely varying potencies depending on the product and increased potential risks to patients. The average THC content found in local dispensaries is 14-25% in dried plant products and up to 90% in concentrates. Psychiatric hospitals have seen an increase in admissions due to psychosis, a well-known side effect of high-potency marijuana.
Additional well-documented issues from the passage of SQ 788 include an increase in motor vehicle accidents, increased emergency room visits for edible poisoning of children and increases in hospital admissions for cannabis hyperemesis syndrome, a condition that causes nausea and vomiting in long-term users. Most concerning is the 73% increase in adolescent marijuana use, with Oklahoma youths reporting 44% higher use than the national average.
Several laws passed last legislative session aim to improve medical marijuana education for physicians, employees of marijuana businesses and the public. As of Jan. 1, any physician who issues such licenses must first register with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and complete mandatory yearly continuing medical education requirements. Similarly, all employees of medical marijuana businesses must complete yearly training as directed by the authority. Law now mandates marijuana packaging includes warnings about the dangers of impaired driving and the risk of birth defects when used during pregnancy.
While these are positive steps, these laws fall short in providing comprehensive public education for patients about all the potential risks of marijuana use. More needs to be done to address the health concerns of those who are using marijuana in a safe and informed way. As a physician, I believe access to clear, unbiased resources is key to helping guide physician-patient conversations.
By educating physicians and the public about marijuana use, both if used medically and recreationally, more Oklahomans will better understand the risks it poses to physical and mental health, including addiction, cardiovascular disease, lung disease and pregnancy complications. As a state, we need to do more to help people understand the risks and prevent harm from cannabis use.
Some physician-led organizations like the Oklahoma State Medical Association have already developed educational materials for doctors and patients, reflecting a growing recognition within the medical community that cannabis education must keep pace with growing access. Such resources should be widely available in clinical settings, schools and online. Expanding and supporting these efforts will be essential to ensuring that long-term patient outcomes remain at the center of the state’s evolving medical marijuana program.
Dr. Tessa Manning is a practicing psychiatrist and associate professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the OU-TU School of Community Medicine. She is a member of the Oklahoma State Medical Association.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KSWO) — Oklahoma lawmakers have voted to honor country music artist and Oklahoma native Toby Keith.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 recognizes Keith’s lasting impact on music and proposes renaming a planned turnpike in his memory.
The concurrent resolution was authored by Rep. Jason Blair, R-Morgan, and Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman.
The planned route will extend from Interstate 44 east to Interstate 35, then continue east and north to I-40 at the Kickapoo Turnpike.
Copyright 2026 KSWO. All rights reserved.
Governor Kevin Stitt has said he wants the State Superintendent of Education to be a governor-elected position instead of an elected one. Political analyst Scott Mitchell examines what this would mean for the state.
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt is urging lawmakers to send a state question to voters that would make the state superintendent an appointed position, as he named Lindel Fields of Tulsa to the role and announced a turnaround team to help implement his education agenda.
Is the State Superintendent an elected role?
Yes, the State Superintendent of Education is still an elected role. Elections are scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
Cons of making the superintendent an appointed position
Mitchell said making this position appointed could cause distrust among some Oklahomans
“Over the years, we’ve seen that capture of regulatory sort of is easy to do when you have term limits, then lobbies become more powerful, and they have all the history. It’s very complicated.
He also said if the position were to be elected, they would likely have the same agenda as the governor.
“Yes, and I think the governor would be absolutely saying, ‘Yes, they’re going to do what I want them to do.’”
Changing how the superintendent is chosen changes what the founding fathers set.
“Voters are going to have to say yay or nay if it gets to them, is whether or not we want to change the way that the founding fathers set up the way that we make sure that power is not concentrated in Oklahoma,” he said.
Is Ryan Walters’ term the reason Stitt wants to make this position appointed?
Mitchell said he believes the former State Superintendent played a role in the government wanting to appoint this position.
During his time as superintendent, Walters was known to have multiple controversies. He resigned in 2025, allowing Stitt to appoint Lindel Fields.
“His impact on this, even though he’s gone, is certainly evident,” said Mitchell. “Walters left midstream, right? And so the governor had a chance to appoint someone. Well, it wasn’t just an appointment; it was chaos before and relative calm and competency after. And that has given the governor an opening for people to see with their own eyes. Yeah, you can put somebody in, we’re talking about Lindel Fields, that appears to get up every day, not trying to find some, get a click on social media, but rather to do his job. And across the board, for the most part, this guy’s getting thumbs up.
Stitt said electing Fields has already given him some leverage since he has been well perceived so far.
“That allows a governor to say, Look, I’ve got some standing, some leverage to go to the voters and say, let’s put expertise as the main reason that a person’s there, not because they were able to win an election because they had some sort of populist or dramatic ideas.”
Who is running for Oklahoma State Superintendent?
Republican Ballot
- Sen. Adam Pugh
- John Cox
- Rep. Toni Hasenbeck
- Ana Landsaw
Democrat Ballot
- Craig Mcvay
- Jennettie Marshall
Independent
To learn more about each candidate, click here.
A full breakdown of candidates in the 2026 Oklahoma State Superintendent race, including party affiliation, background and key education priorities.
An Oklahoma highway could soon be named after the late country superstar, Toby Keith, pending new legislation.
House Concurrent Resolution 1019 would rename a proposed turnpike project the “Toby Keith Expressway.” This roadway is set to be built from Interstate 44 East to Interstate-35, continuing East and North to Interstate 40. This road is a part of the ACCESS Oklahoma Long-Range Plan, which is meant to update and expand the state’s turnpike system.
This resolution was adopted by the House on Wednesday.
“Toby Keith was more than a country music star. He was a proud Oklahoman who never forgot where he came from,” said Rep. Jason Blair, R-Moore. “Naming this turnpike in his honor is a fitting way to recognize a man who represented our state with ultimate patriotism and generosity.”
Keith was born in Clinton, Oklahoma, raised in Moore and resided in Norman. He died on February 5, 2024, in a battle with cancer.
“Over the course of his legendary career, Toby Keith never forgot where he came from or what he stood for,” said Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman. “His Oklahoma roots shaped him, and his love of America defined him. He was a country music superstar and a true patriot. I can think of no better way to honor his memory than by naming this future stretch of Norman turnpike in his honor, creating a lasting tribute to the legacy he leaves behind.”
During his career, Keith sold over 40 million records and more than 20 number-one singles
Legislation authors believe this would commemorate the life and legacy of Toby Keith.
The bill will now head to the Senate.
To read the full House Resolution, click here.
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