New shopping district centered on medical cannabis takes root in Tulsa

TULSA — A disabled veteran with deeply-held conservative beliefs may seem like an unlikely advocate for medical cannabis, but Shawn Jenkins sees no irony or conflict in his decisions.

He has two children with a rare genetic disorder which triggers seizures, and he wanted the freedom to help them in a way that didn’t cause further damage.

Unfortunately, that help - in the form of legal medical cannabis - came too late to prevent his son from suffering further physical damage from the pharmaceutical medications he was given.

“My son is six, almost seven years old and he has the liver enzymes of a man in his sixties,” Jenkins told KRMG Wednesday. “And it still didn’t eliminate the seizures. So, we’re taking liver damage, and the seizures still haven’t been eliminated.”

[Hear our full interview with Shawn Jenkins (and PIO Joanna Francisco)]

Jenkins became involved in creating and passing State Question 788, which roughly 57% of Oklahoma voters passed last year.

Now, he’s opening two dispensaries, one in Tulsa and one in Coweta.

The FlowerCraft dispensary in Tulsa will anchor what he’s calling the “Flower District,” which he hopes will attract “788 friendly” businesses.

There’s also an event center, which will be a venue for classes, seminars, and other activities.

Jenkins says making money is not the goal, and used the parable of the mustard seed to make his point.

“It is the smallest seed, isn’t it? The smallest seed that we’ve started this company with is that we’re doing it for love,” he said. “And we’re doing it to help others, and make a point. My wife and I, neither one of us, take a salary from this company, and we’ve already publicly declared we’ll never take a salary from this company.

“This is a labor of love. So, I’m fortunate that I’ve been given the opportunity in my life to make medicine for my children. And that’s all I need.”