Pubdate: Sat, 14 Jun 2014
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2014 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Barbara Hoberock
Page: A8
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

PETITION CALLS FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA

OKLAHOMA CITY - A second marijuana petition was filed Friday with the 
Oklahoma Secretary of State.

Supporters hope to let voters decide whether or not marijuana should 
be legal in Oklahoma.

Another petition currently circulating seeks to legalize the use of 
marijuana for medical purposes.

Both require 155,216 signatures.

Organizers of the more expansive petition include Sen. Constance 
Johnson, D-Forest Park, Oklahoma City attorney David Slane and 
Republican gubernatorial candidate Chad Moody. Johnson is running for 
U.S. Senate.

Johnson said she tried for eight years to change the state's 
marijuana policies, to no avail.

She said voters want voice on the matter.

"God created this wonderful, miraculous plant and we know it has been 
vilified for the last 100 years and it is time to change that in 
Oklahoma," Johnson said.

The proposal would end the over-criminalization of simple marijuana 
possession, Johnson said.

"We are locking up nonviolent, marijuana-possessing people, giving 
them felonies, filling up our prisons to the extent we are creating 
overcrowding in order to justify further placement and fulfilling the 
98 percent bed occupancy of private prisons in Oklahoma," Johnson said.

Over-criminalizing marijuana possession funds the private prison 
industry, she said. That industry influences policymakers to keep the 
laws the same but to enhance the penalties, Johnson said.

The measure if approved would legalize industrial hemp to be sold to 
states that allow marijuana use, Johnson said.

"Oklahoma is a great growing state," Johnson said.

Slane said the petition incorporates almost 99 percent of the 
provisions contained in the earlier petition calling for the 
legalization of medical marijuana.

"We were very careful to not have two constitutional amendments that 
would conflict," Slane said.

The petition proposes a $7 tax per ounce, Slane said.

"Free weed at last," Moody said. "Free weed at last. Thank God 
almighty we are going to free weed at last."

Chip Paul, chairman of Oklahomans for Health, which is circulating 
the medical marijuana petition, said he anticipates the needed 
signatures will be turned in by Aug. 16.

"We are not overly concerned about it affecting our effort," Paul 
said. "In fact, we think it will bring more awareness and contrast to 
what we are trying to do on the medical side."

Gov. Mary Fallin said Friday that she does not support either of the petitions.

An initiative petition to legalize marijuana was filed Friday with 
the Secretary of State's office.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom