Marijuana Law reform for Oklahoma in 2014

Lots of stories in the news in papers and on TV. All of the Oklahoma groups for Marijuana reform are reporting more turnout and interest. It really seems like an exciting time for reforming Marijuana in Oklahoma. I've tried to provide a good starting point if you'd like to know whats going on...


Support Constance Johnson 's bill to Legalize marijuana. Sign the petition here. http://norml.org/news/2014/01/21/oklahoma-marijuana-legalization

Oklahoma: Marijuana Legalization Measure Introduced

State Senator Constance Johnson (D-District 48) has introduced Senate Bill 2116, which aims to legalize the possession, cultivation, and retail sale of cannabis to adults. The proposed legislation removes all criminal and civil penalties for the possession of up to one ounce of marijuana and the personal cultivation of up to 5 marijuana plants by those over the age of 21. The bill would also create a system of retail cannabis outlets, cultivation facilities, and marijuana product manufacturers. You can read the full text of the measure here.
"I think we need to accept the realities that alcohol is a dangerous drug, prescription drugs are dangerous. Marijuana has not killed anyone," stated Senator Johnson.
Oklahoma presently possesses some of the strictest marijuana penalties in the nation. A second offense for minor marijuana possession is classified as felony, punishable by up to ten years incarceration. Cultivation of any amount of cannabis is also classified as a felony and may be punishable by up to life in prison.
According to a 2013 ACLU report, Oklahoma arrests over 10,000 individuals for simple marijuana possession every year, at the cost nearly 30 million dollars. These arrests disproportionately impact minorities. Despite only constituting 7.6% of the state's population and having similar use rates to their white counterparts, African Americans account for 20.8% of the state's marijuana possession arrests.
Please take a moment of your time to easily contact your elected officials in support of this important legislation.
http://salsa3.salsalabs.com/o/51046/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12848


  H.B. 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years.

If you live in Oklahoma, please ask your representative to support this sensible reform.
- See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf


According to latest SoonerPoll results, Oklahomans are ready to consider marijuana for medicinal purposes and decriminalization. The poll had support for medical marijuana at 71% and support for decriminalization at 57%. The poll did not ask about legalization.


In addition, two of Johnson’s marijuana-related bills from the 2013 session still are alive, including SB 710, which would legalize medical marijuana.
SB 914 would decriminalize possession of less than an ounce in any situation.


Also coming up Oklahoma legislators will get a different look during a Feb. 12 hearing to discuss scientific evidence about the medical use of cannabis extracts, and listen to families who wish it could be obtained in Oklahoma.

The subject to be discussed has nothing to do with smoking, and it is not a substance people would use to get high. The product that will be discussed is an oil very low in THC — the psychotropic compound of cannabis that produces its notorious “high.”

Instead, the product is produced from cannabis plants specifically bred for a high level of cannabidiol — a compound with a calming effect on the brain. The United States Department of Health and Human Services has itself held a patent on cannabinoids as antioxidants and neuroprotectants since 2003.

H.B. 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years - See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf

H.B. 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years.
If you live in Oklahoma, please ask your representative to support this sensible reform.
Although this change is modest, it is still a significant improvement over the status quo. It’s a change that makes both common sense and fiscal sense. It would mean fewer adults would be jailed simply for choosing to use a substance less harmful than alcohol. It would also free up prison space for people who commit serious and violent crimes.
- See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf

. H.B. 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years.
If you live in Oklahoma, please ask your representative to support this sensible reform.
- See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf

sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years. - See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf

H.B. 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years - See more at: http://cannabisculturenews.com/2014/01/oklahoma-to-consider-lessening-marijuana-penalties/#sthash.AECYQTSr.dpuf

ProgressiveOkie Activist Action Alert - First of 2014

Year end list of actions every Oklahoman can take part in. As alway if you have suggestions please feel free to contact us.

1. Petition to stop Republicans and Mary Fallin from blocking Obamacare (ACA). Sign the petition!

Tell Oklahoma Republicans: Stop blocking the Medicaid expansion  

 States not expanding Medicaid under Obamacare will be collectively lose more than $35 billion in federal funds in 2022 alone, according to a new report from the Commonwealth Fund.

 

2.  Petitioning The Governor of OK

The State Of Oklahoma: Legalize The Use Of Medical Cannabis

  In September, Oklahoma NORML obtained results from a poll of state voters showing that 71.2% want a medical marijuana program for seriously ill patients who qualify, and 63.7% prefer a simple ticket and fine — without criminal penalties — for adults who possess small amounts of marijuana. So far, state legislators have failed to realize just what their constituents want.

 

3. Pass the Fair Minimum Wage Act of 2013 raises the minimum wage to $10.10 an hour and provides the first increase to tipped employees in more than 20 years. It also indexes the minimum wage to the cost of living.

  I'm keeping these a little shorter than normal this time. Upcoming alerts will keep with income inequality, marijuana law reform and other social justice issues. If you have an issue you'd like attention drawn to please contact me austinstumpff@gmail.com or on twitter @progressiveokie

Oh I almost forgot there is word of medical marijuana coming up for a committee vote so please call your Reps etc and just leave them a short message of your support for marijuana law reform.

Walmart Stores/Supercenters USA: Sell more American made products.

Change.org|Start an Online Petition »

With increasing unemployment and the loss of American manufacturing jobs companies like Walmart should make a stronger commitment in buying and selling more American goods. As one of the United States' largest employers it should be known for selling more American products.
With a U.S. record trade deficit with China of over $260 billion dollars a year Walmart is said to acount for over 11% of that. Some say that speaks for the loss of hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs.
I ask that Walmart do the right thing. Set an American business standard that a American company supports American workers. Please increase the amount of American made products and lower the amount of those products from countries that use almost slave labor.