Pot Laws Take Center Stage With Gubernatorial Candidates
Marijuana legalization emerges as unusual issue in Oklahoma GOP gubernatorial primary campaign
By SEAN MURPHY Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY — Gov. Mary Fallin, a Republican who has never lost an election during a 25-year political career in Oklahoma, will face two lesser-known opponents in next week’s GOP primary who have made their support for legalization of marijuana an issue in the campaign.
While it is an unusual issue to highlight in such a conservative state, criminal defense attorney Chad Moody — known around Oklahoma City as “The Drug Lawyer” — and computer network operator Dax Ewbank, a libertarian-leaning Republican from Guthrie, both said they support the full legalization of cannabis. The issue arises as two separate signature gathering efforts are underway in Oklahoma to get marijuana questions on the ballot — one to legalize the medicinal use of the drug and another authorizing its complete legalization.
“It’s not appropriate to be imprisoning people and perpetuating police powers through the drug war,” said Ewbank, a 38-year-old father of seven known for openly carrying his firearm at campaign events.
Moody has a knack for humorous marketing techniques such as a psychedelically colored Volkswagen van with his number on it, or a billboard adorned with his trademarked pot leaf that asks: “God made cannabis. Does God make mistakes?” The 46-year-old says his gubernatorial campaign was launched to start a pro-marijuana discussion, but now says he’s convinced there is a strong sentiment against Fallin that he may be able to exploit.