Pubdate: Wed, 27 Feb 2013
Source: Norman Transcript (OK)
Copyright: 2013 The Norman Transcript
Contact:  http://www.normantranscript.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/552
Page: A4

Medical Marijuana

FINALLY, SHE GOT A HEARING

Change, they say, is usually incremental. Sen. Constance Johnson, 
D-Oklahoma City, has been trying for the past six years to get her 
colleagues in the Oklahoma legislature to at least hold a hearing on 
her medical marijuana bill.

That hearing finally came this week. The Senate Health and Human 
Services Committee defeated a proposal to legalize the medical use of 
marijuana.

The legislation would have allowed a qualified patient or designated 
caregiver to possess up to eight ounces of dried marijuana and 12 plants.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia have medical marijuana 
laws. In 1996, California became the first state in the nation to 
enact a medical marijuana law. Additionally, two states have moved to 
decriminalize marijuana possession for recreational use.

We don't look for any groundswell of support for Sen. Johnson's 
legislation. Oklahoma remains one of the toughest states for 
prosecution of drug crimes. Law enforcement officials consider 
marijuana a gateway drug and have gone on record as opposing any move 
to make its use legal for medical purposes or otherwise.
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