by McKayla Holson, Editorial Editor
Tensions are running high in the Alva community over the city’s medical marijuana ordinance.
Councilman Daniel Winters created a poll on Facebook that led to a discussion about the topic in the comments. The discussion involved those on both sides of the issue, but it seemed more people were opposed to the current ordinance and hoping for change.
Some of the top issues residents have cited with the ordinance are strict location restrictions, which limit where a medical marijuana business can open.
The current ordinance prevents marijuana retail establishments, commercial growing facilities, wholesale facilities, and storage facilities from being within 1,000 feet of a “private or public preschool, elementary, secondary, vocational or trade school, college or university; a library or museum; a public playground; a child care center; a place or worship or religious assembly; a public park, pool, or recreation facility; a juvenile or adult halfway house, correctional facility or substance abuse; a rehabilitation or treatment center; a residentially zoned district; or another medical marijuana or marijuana establishment.”
“It is almost impossible to locate in a commercially zoned area that is not within 1,000 feet of a residentially-zoned area in the city of Alva,” Terry Hada commented on the post. “I think that is too restrictive. I lean toward any commercial zoned [sic] area being acceptable no matter what facilities for children are within 1,000 feet.
“We are talking about a legal business here, and at least in the beginning it is for medical purpose[s], though that could expand to recreational at a later date.”
“I get wanting to fight this,” Angie Braswell said. “But on the other hand, if you just find a place right outside of city limits, then your customers don’t have to pay city tax. Ya [sic] really want to make a point that would make it.”
Some people in the comments suggested the city is purposefully making it difficult for operations to start up.
“Obvious to me the location restrictions intentionally make it impossible, or as difficult as possible, to locate in Alva,” Hada said in another comment. “Forcing location on the east edge of town or south edge of town would be intentionally making it as expensive as possible to purchase or lease land when there are vacant buildings available in commercially zoned areas that would be much more economical. The intent is to make it prohibitively expensive to open a legal business.”
A few commenters talked about how there are businesses in surrounding towns and areas, but that business in Alva are being denied by the ordinance.
Some commenters said the ordinance is not in compliance with state law, adding that the Alva ordinance is unduly restrictive.
“The ordinance is not in compliance with [State Question] 788,” Michelle Demaree Gordon said. “… Please know that Alva patients need access to our meds just like Waynoka patients. It’s a hardship on patients who have to leave town.”
An inability to access medicines locally creates issues for patients who use medical marijuana.At a recent Alva City Council meeting, Michelle DuPree read a written statement made by Cindy DuPree. In the statement, Cindy DuPree listed medical issues that she has. She went on to say that marijuana has helped manage her pain, adding that she is now able to stand for more than 10 or 15 minutes without crying. Cindy DuPree said her only problem with using medical marijuana as a form of treatment is that she cannot obtain it in Alva. She said she is unable to drive long distances, making it difficult to get the medicine that helps her.
PROTEST HELD
On Sept. 4, citizens who oppose the current ordinance held a peaceful protest from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the lawn of the Woods County Courthouse in Alva.
People of all ages, backgrounds, and locations came out to advocate for medical marijuana rights.
Chris “Uncle Grumpy” Moe, a self-described citizen lobbyist, came all the way from Muskogee, Oklahoma to fight for medical marijuana patients.
“The reason why we came up is because of the $500 restriction on the home grow,” Moe said.
“The $500 a year for me to grow in my own home is ridiciculous,” Cindy DuPree said. “It shouldn’t even be in that ordinance.”
Cindy DuPree said the next plan of action was to get a lawyer if the ordinance does not change.
“Four years ago, I was on 9,855 pills a year, all prescribed by the doctor,” Moe said. “… I literally stuck a gun to my head. I was at the end of my rope, all beacause of prescriptions given to me by my doctor.”
Another issue Moe discussed is that some police officers allegedly sit outside the homes of medical marijuana patients to perform DUI checks. Moe says this is wrong.
“It’s not legal, it’s morally corrupt,” Moe said. “You may have to medicate just to get out the door because of the anxiety of the law enforcement sitting outside your door. It’s a conundrum you can’t get out of.”
“Reefer madness, at this point, is just a smoke screen for ‘you haven’t found my dollar amount yet.’”
Moe said the group plans to speak to businesses around Alva about the impact of the ordinance. He said he wants to make it clear to business owners that they will lose money if the law doesn’t change.
“We’re going to park a bus out here every Saturday, and we’re going to load up every cannabis card holder who wants to, and we’re going to take them out of town, with their money, and they’re going to spend it at a dispensary in another town and come home,” he said.
Michelle DuPree said the group will continue to advocate for change. The group has a closed Facebook group that people can ask to join called “Oklahoma Cannabis Project.” Michelle DuPree said no sales will be made in the group, and that it is only for information.