Marijuana Policy Project

TULSA — A defense attorney who supports decriminalizing drug use is challenging a former police officer in the race for a Tulsa area House of Representatives seat.

Jay K. Ramey, R-Tulsa, is the first candidate to challenge Democratic incumbent Lucky Lamons since he was elected in 2002 to the House District 66 seat.

The district boundary includes parts of downtown, midtown and west Tulsa and Sand Springs. The election is Nov. 4.

Lawyer Supports Drug Courts

Ramey said Oklahoma could halve the budget for the Corrections Department by making all marijuana offenses misdemeanors and reducing sentences for other drug use.

"I think the police would better use their time looking for armed robbers rather than spending hours and hours arresting people for small amounts of marijuana," he said.

Ramey, who is affiliated with the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, or NORML, said he also favors increased use of drug courts and more funding for public substance abuse treatment programs.

Lamons said marijuana is a dangerous drug that shouldn't be decriminalized.

Lamons, of Tulsa, said he and Ramey are opposites in many ways.

"He's single; I'm married. He's a criminal defense attorney for his entire life," Lamons said.

"He has defended suspects and for my entire professional life I have arrested suspects. I stand for the victim, and he stands for the suspect. I don't begrudge him that, but I'd rather be on my side."

Incumbent Supports Ethics Reform

Lamons said he is running to help make college affordable for everyone, jump-start the economy, improve health care options for poor people and to reform the state's ethics system.

Higher taxes won't be needed to accomplish those goals, he said, but he added that tax cuts should not be accelerated.

Ramey favors further cutting state taxes. He also supports loosened gun control laws.

To deal with high gas prices, the state should provide incentives for the oil refining industry to expand in Oklahoma, Lamons said.

For several years, Lamons has championed the idea that legislators should not be allowed to accept campaign contributions during the legislative session.

A bill with a version of that concept passed during the last legislative session.

Lamons broke with his party to vote for lawsuit compensation reform, or tort reform. He joined the majority of legislators in voting for a controversial anti-illegal immigration law that was said to be the strictest in the country.