Pruitt Submits Ballot Title for State Question 788

The state Attorney General Scott Pruitt submitted the ballot title for State Question 788, a measure that would legalize the use of medical marijuana in Oklahoma. 

 “I commend the attorneys in my office for their diligent work to complete this ballot title in an efficient manner. While my office has done its part by preparing the ballot title well before the September 1 deadline, there are still steps remaining in order for the question to be placed on a ballot,” Attorney General Pruitt said. 

“We are dealing with processes established in both federal and state election law for initiatives proposed by the people that require specific procedures to be followed. Even with expedited efforts of both the Secretary of State’s office to count the signatures and my office to write the ballot title, the state is running up against deadlines imposed by this process. It’s important for the people of Oklahoma to know, regardless of the substance of the state question, the signatures were not submitted with enough time to allow this process to be played out completely.” 

Related Story – August 23, 2016, Medical Marijuana Petition Reaches Signature Threshold 

After the Attorney General's Office submits the substitute ballot title to the Secretary of State, it must be published and opponents must have ten business days to object to the ballot title based on the validity or number of signatures or a challenge to the ballot title.  Pursuant to 34 O.S. § 12, the governor cannot issue the proclamation placing the initiative petition on the ballot until the timeline for objections and protests has passed.

Although, despite garnering the required signatures, News 9's Alex Cameron reports the question will not be on the November ballot.

Despite enough signatures, medical marijuana will NOT be on November ballot--State Election Board begins printing ballots next week @NEWS9

— Alex Cameron (@AlexDCameron) August 25, 2016