BY THE NUMBERS BREAKING NEWS!
$38.5 MILLION DIVIDED AMONG 330 CHARTER AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS GETTING MARIJUANA TAX MONEY (KTEN) — School districts across Oklahoma have received their initial share of Redbud Grant money, distributed from the state's medical marijuana excise and sales tax.
Trust Me!
I'm a Lawyer BY JADE PEBWORTH
CUSTODY AND CANNABIS
Licensing Report Growers Processors Dispensaries Transport Laboratory Waste Disposal
As of February 3rd, there are 8,137 growers within our state We have 1,508 licensed processors in the state We currently have 2,232 dispensary licenses with this great state We now have 103 Transportation Licenses We have 29 licensed labs We have 9 licensed waste disposal faclities
Active Licenses: 382,069 Patients & 1,897 Caregivers
SQ788 TAX
STATE & LOCAL
SALES TAX
2019 (JAN. TO DEC.)
2019 (JAN. TO DEC.)
..................... $24,156,269
..................... $30,594,902
2020 (JAN. TO DEC.)
2020 (JAN. TO DEC.)
.................... $56,245,888
..................... $71,593,772
2021 (JAN. TO DEC.) ..................... $66,173,758
2021 (JAN. TO NOV.) ..................... $83,265,745
2022 ( JAN.) ..................... $4,922,003
Source: https://www.kten.com/
November - $6,252,699
....................... $6,691,761
The tax generated $38.5 million divided among 330 charter and public schools. "Oklahoma is one of a handful of states that has not provided these type of building fund supports to districts that are on the lower end of the ad valorem," said State Superintendent of Schools Joy Hofmeister. "This helps equalize the building fund support across the state."
This initial allotment from the Redbud Grant across Texoma ranges from $292 going to Maysville Public Schools in Garvin County to $142,633 earmarked for Durant Public Schools. The money will go to help schools build new facilities. "This was funds to help school districts that may not receive large amounts to their building funds," said Caddo Public Schools Superintendent Lee Northcutt, whose district is getting $19,874. "All schools have the same five mills or the same percentage, but if you have a lower base, to begin with, then your portion of the pie doesn't go very far," Hofmeister said. Colbert Public Schools received $49,363 in Redbud Grant funds. Superintendent Jarvis Dobbs already has plans for that money." We are trying to get away from the carpet and go with some of the hardwood floors that you don't have to wax and strip," he said. Schools will receive their second Redbud Grant payments in June. 17 MARCH 2022
thechronicmagazine.com
O
ften in the center of divorce are your minor children. The question posed here is, whether simply having a medical marijuana card means you lose custody of your minor children. Thankfully, the answer is NO! Medical Marijuana became legal here in Oklahoma just a few short years ago. While using marijuana without proper licensure is still illegal, patients shall not be punished simply for having a medical card when it comes to child custody and visitation. Oklahoma Statute 63 O.S. §425(D) states, “No medical marijuana patient licensee may be denied custody of or visitation or parenting time with a minor child, and there is no presumption of neglect or child endangerment for conduct allowed under this law unless the behavior of the medical marijuana patient licensee creates an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor child.” What does this really mean? This means that just because you have a medical marijuana card does not automatically mean you lose custody or visitation with your minor children. This also means that the decision is up to the Judge. Many interchange “custody” and “visitation”, but here in Oklahoma, custody means the legal right to parent your child while visitation means spending time with your minor children.
Prior to medical marijuana legalization, or while using marijuana without proper licensure, marijuana use was viewed by the court as drug use which made one incapable of parenting their children. Such is no longer the case, in most jurisdictions anyway. During a divorce or paternity action, the judge has a duty to make decisions in the best interest of the minor children. Such is clearly stated in the statute above, as the last portion states “…unless the behavior of the medical marijuana patient licensee creates an unreasonable danger to the safety of the minor child.” While the law states that there is not a presumption, the judge can decide that the medical marijuana user be denied custody and or visitation with the minor child. The judge still has the job of doing what is in the best interest of the minor child based on the evidence regardless of licensure. Again, the use of medical marijuana without proper licensure is still illegal in the State of Oklahoma and is viewed as such in family law matters. For questions or more info email: Jade@BICLegal.com
- Jade
