Governor Kevin Stitt is calling for a coordinated effort among state agencies to crack down on the sale and distribution of psychoactive marijuana byproducts like delta-8 and THCA. He sent a letter urging the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and other agencies to increase enforcement and regulation, citing concerns about public safety and youth access. Stitt emphasized that while medical marijuana is legal, these chemically altered products are often sold outside the regulated system. Lawmakers are also considering legislation to address the issue more directly.
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is standing firm in his opposition to St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing. Drummond argues that allowing taxpayer dollars to fund a religious public charter school would violate the Constitution and set a dangerous precedent. Despite pushback from some Republican leaders like and pro-school choice advocates, Drummond maintains that his position defends religious liberty by preventing government entanglement with religion. The Supreme Court is expected to issue a ruling this summer.
Oklahoma’s new social studies standards are moving forward after the State Board of Education, led by Superintendent Ryan Walters, approved them despite controversy. Walters says the updated standards remove leftist ideology and focus on American exceptionalism, patriotism, and the founding principles of the nation. Critics, including some educators and lawmakers, argue the process lacked transparency and excluded expert input. The changes now await final review by the Oklahoma Legislature and Governor Stitt.
Former State Senator Jake Merrick has announced his candidacy for Oklahoma governor, joining the Republican primary field. Merrick said he wants Oklahoma to lead the nation in elite education and emphasized protecting children from abortion, woke ideologies, and domestic violence. He also called for eliminating property taxes and strengthening property rights. Merrick previously served in the state Senate representing parts of Oklahoma and Canadian counties.
Weekly Wrap Up
Lawmakers are working quickly to wrap up remaining legislation ahead of upcoming key deadlines. One of the most important is Thursday, May 8, which marks the final day for third reading and passage of bills originating from the opposite chamber.
Click here for detailed information on the legislative calendar and upcoming deadlines.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We’ve taken all of this, all of these fights, out of play. It’s ultimately what the parents of the children decide what they want,” said Oklahoma gubernatorial candidate and former OK House Speaker Charles McCall, expressing his support for St. Isidore ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court hearing. “It’s not about bureaucratic arguments, it’s not about legislative arguments. It’s about the people and the freedoms that this country was founded on.”