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

Oklahoma Rep. Jadine Nollan re: Medical Marijuana

The following is an exchange I'd like to pass on. Please feel free to use my letter as an example of what you would write your representative. .. Now the response from Rep. Nollan isn't the worst I've seen it could be much better so feel free to write her to express your opinion.

Jadine Nollan	Sep 27
to me

Hi ProgressiveOkie,

Thank you for your thoughts regarding this subject. I will keep them under advisement.

Sincerely,

Rep. Jadine Nollan

Sent from my iPad

On Sep 26, 2013, at 3:41 PM,

>
> Sep 26, 2013
>
> Representative Jadine Nollan
> State Capitol Building, Room 329-A
> 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard
> Oklahoma City, OK 73105
>
> Dear Representative Nollan,
>
> A recent poll of voters in Oklahoma has shown that a clear majority
> supports a medical marijuana program for seriously ill patients who
> have the approval of a physician. Sen. Constance Johnson has introduced
> legislation that would establish a regulated program much like those of
> 20 other states and the District of Columbia. As your constituent, I am
> asking you to support her efforts on behalf of patients in our state.
>
> Some have argued that Marinol, a pharmaceutical medicine that contains
> only one of several active medicinal ingredients in marijuana, is an
> adequate substitute. Unfortunately though, many patients who benefit
> from medical marijuana would not benefit from Marinol because it lacks
> important active ingredients that have therapeutic effect for pain
> relief, seizure control, and other serious conditions. It is also
> difficult for nauseated patients to keep down and is more dangerous
> than natural marijuana, since it is pure, synthetic THC.
>
> Nearly three-quarters of Oklahomans want a medical marijuana program,
> and I hope you will take a stand to support the will of the voters.
> Patients who seek an alternative to narcotics should not be made into
> criminals for using a safer medication that for many patients is the
> only thing that works.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> ProgressiveOkie
AS

Oklahoma State Senator Constance Johnson introduced 3 Marijuana bills in 2013

Sen. Constance Johnson, who made headlines recently when she fought to get a hearing for medical marijuana in the Oklahoma Legislature, has filed legislation that calls upon the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to establish a medical marijuana program in the Sooner State. Separately, she is also sponsoring legislation that would reduce the penalty for possession of small amounts of marijuana.

Sen. Johnson’s medical marijuana bill, SB 902, is short and to the point. Rather than spelling out all the details in the legislation, the bill simply directs the medical board to develop and adopt rules allowing patients to obtain permission from their doctors to use marijuana and to establish fees for the “licensing, production, distribution, and consumption” of medical marijuana.

Johnson’s other bill, SB 914, would lessen the penalty for possession of 1.5 ounces or less from a maximum of one year in jail and a fine of up to $1,000 to a maximum of 10 days in jail and a fine of up to $200.
We spend too much on wasteful laws aimed at non-violent other wise safe people.
Let us start the conversation with the support of these bills. 

A third bill has been introduced by Sen. Johnson, Senate Bill 710 would allow qualifying patients to use cannabis with a physician's recommendation. Patients would be permitted to possess up to eight ounces of marijuana and cultivate up to twelve marijuana plants. SB 710 would also allow the state to license marijuana dispensaries and cultivation centers.

If you're reading this and wonder what you can do to get the ball moving id urge you to speak out to our Oklahoma lawmakers and tell them you'd like a conversation on Marijuana law reform. 

Here's a link to my petition on change.org for SB 902 and SB 914...check back for an update and new 

petition for SB 710.  

Another national group working in Oklahoma is the Marijuana Policy Project or MPP

I would urge you to check out NORML and this link

***update*** Signon.org is a great platform from moveon.org here's a link to my petition there for Support of Constance Johnson's Marijuana law reform.

"Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011" with Oklahoma links

On June 23, 2011, a handful of visionary and courageous Members of Congress, led by Rep. Barney Frank, introduced the "Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2011," a bill that would treat marijuana the way alcohol is treated under federal law. It would give each state complete freedom to regulate marijuana in the manner it believes is in the best interests of its citizens. If a state wants to make marijuana available to patients, it can. And if it prefers to make marijuana legal for all adults, it can do that, too.

Hundreds of billions of dollars have been wasted on marijuana prohibition over the past forty years. And for what? Usage rates don't change. The price of marijuana doesn't change. All prohibition has done is ensure that profits have remained underground while marijuana itself has been unregulated and less safe.

It is time to tell your representative in Congress to put an end to this massive waste of government resources. States must be set free to experiment with marijuana policy.

 Oklahoma peeps check out http://potforfreedom.com/oklahoma/ and www.tulsanorml.org

Oklahoma Compassionate Care Medical Marijuana Bill Needs Your Help.

ARE YOU A PATIENT WHO COULD BENEFIT FROM USING MARIJUANA AS A MEDICINE? ARE YOU A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL WHO IS AWARE OF ITS THERAPEUTIC BENEFITS? PLEASE CONTACT US NOW!! We are seeking endorsements from Oklahoma doctors, patients, and prominent organizations.

We need Oklahomans who could benefit from medical marijuana to tell their stories and.../or even testify to legislators about those who are either sick or in pain and who want or need medical marijuana. All interviews will be kept private unless we have your permission to tell your story.

Please use this online form ( http://okmedicalmarijuana.org/ )  to tell your story, or phone (405)370-5512.
Mail to: DPRNOK, P O BOX 73140, Midwest City, OK 73140
Our political web site and sponsor of OCCC: DPRNOK  ( http://dprnok.net/ )

Please call your OK senator and representative and tell them to sponsor, or support, the Oklahoma Compassionate Care Medical Marijuana bill. Find and e-mail your state legislators here, or off the Internet at the Oklahoma Election Board (405)521-2391, or contact your county election board.

New Liberal / Progressive Direction of the American Medical Association (AMA)

The American Medical Association (AMA) has lately been showing a progressive direction. We first started noticing it when the group openly expressed support for the House's efforts for Health Insurance Reform that passed last Saturday.

Then on Tuesday the group made two new bold stands. One calling for the end of Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) in the military, also stating "A law which makes people lie to their physicians is a bad law," , and that "Same-sex families lack other benefits afforded married couples, including tax breaks, spouse benefits under retirement plans and Social Security survivor benefits – all of which can put their health at risk", in reference to the harmful Defence Of Marriage Act (DOMA)

In another statement that was presented by AMA was a reversal on their position on Medical Marijuana stating "Our American Medical Association (AMA) urges that marijuana's status as a federal Schedule I controlled substance be reviewed with the goal of facilitating the conduct of clinical research and development of cannabinoid-based medicines,"

For some reason this reminds us of a statement we caught while eating out, and that was "Marijuana use will be legal and taxed before gays and lesbians are allowed to marry". As much as we thought this sounded reasonable, this new stance by the AMA makes us wonder if parts of our nation are becoming ready to live a little more progressively and maybe both are not too far off.

NORML Is Coming To Talk Radio

NORML Is Coming To Talk Radio — Be Part of ‘Marijuana Nation’

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As a gay man with HIV, insomnia, and an increasing lack of faith in Americas healthcare industry. It would be nice to have an alternative medicine to treat issues in future states of my HIV or just use it to relax since a glass of wine with all its benefits still isn't good for my immune system. It's hard for me to see why with this issue, if people are presented with the facts they would find marijuana far better for society and people than alcohol or tobacco, hell for that matter better than ingesting many cocktails of drugs used to treat major illness.