Aformer Oklahoma governor is leading an effort to defeat a proposition to legalize recreational marijuana in the state.

According to a press release, Frank Keating, who governed Oklahoma from 1995 – 2003, is chairman of “Protect Our Kids No 820,” a coalition of community, business, and law enforcement leaders. The organization filed papers with the Oklahoma Ethics Commission this week to oppose State Question 820, which goes before voters next month.

“We simply must protect our children,” Keating stated in the press release. “This state question goes well beyond the ballot summary voters will see. Just one example is that hidden inside this question is a clause that expressly lowers the legal threshold for child endangerment. It includes a prohibition on our court system from considering marijuana usage in child custody and visitation cases. These are just a few of the problems.”

Logan County Sheriff Damon Devereaux, who is part of the coalition, said marijuana is already harming people and hopes SQ 820 gets voted down.

“Every day, we hear another horror story about how marijuana is hurting lives. From toddlers overdosing on high THC gummies, to the prevalence of robbery and murder that has already occurred in this industry,” Deveraux said. “As a sheriff, it is my responsibility to protect the citizens of my county, with this almost unregulated industry it is becoming almost impossible to do. We as Oklahomans have suffered enough, it is time we stood our ground and take Oklahoma back from this industry. That starts by voting no on SQ 820.”

Logan County borders Kingfisher County, where four people were killed execution-style at a marijuana farm last November. Locally, a group of armed individuals impersonating law enforcement allegedly conducted multiple “raids” on marijuana grow farms in Seminole and Hughes Counties last March. One of the incidents reportedly involved kidnapping.

“The already out-ofcontrol illegal marijuana grows are straining our state’s utility providers and have brought organized crime and violence to rural areas,” said Rodd Moesel, President of Oklahoma Farm Bureau and coalition member. “It is reckless to even consider expanding marijuana access. To have execution style killings near Hennessey should be a wake-up call that now is not the time to lessening regulation and to throw things even more wide open.”

Tulsa County District Attorney Steve Kunzweiler also stated his opposition to SQ 820 in the press release.

“Our law enforcement community is just now starting to get a handle on all of the activity around so-called medical marijuana. To go in and pass new laws that further tie the hands of law enforcement could be devastating,” Kunzweiler said.

The use of medical marijuana became legal in Oklahoma in June 2018 with the passage of SQ 788.

“We know time is short, so we need everyone’s help in educating the public about how SQ 820 will further harm our state,” Keating said. “By searching NO SQ820 you can find our Facebook page and join our coalition. We’ll have a website and other ways to get engaged soon.”

Proponents of SQ 820 say its passage would generate millions of dollars in new marijuana tax revenue for Oklahoma in the first five years.

“In the next five years, Oklahoma could reap almost a half billion dollars in new revenue to invest in our public schools, law enforcement agencies, mental health programs, and other priorities,” said Michelle Tilley, Campaign Director for Yes on 820. “This is a game changer when it comes to investing in our children’s futures, the safety of our communities, and even physical infrastructure like roads and bridges.”

Voters will take to the polls on Tuesday, March 7 to approve or reject SQ 820.