Pubdate: Fri, 22 Aug 2014
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Page: 12A
Copyright: 2014 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Rick M. Green
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/props.htm (Ballot Initiatives)

PETITION FALLS SHORT OF VITAL SIGNATURES FOR MEDICAL WEED

Backers of a medical marijuana initiative collected only about half
the signatures needed to put the issue before voters, the Oklahoma
secretary of state's office said Thursday.

A total of 75,384 signatures were collected, but more than 155,216
were needed to put it on the Nov. 4 ballot.

The proposed initiative was intended to classify marijuana as an
herbal drug to be regulated by the state Health Department. More than
three dozen medical conditions, from asthma to urinary incontinence,
would qualify a person to get a medical card through a doctor to
receive marijuana.

Tulsa-based Oklahomans for Health submitted the signed petitions
Friday. Chip Paul, leader of the group, said at the time that they
probably didn't collect enough signatures, noting up to 30,000
signatures could not be submitted because of errors in the way they
were formatted.

Meantime, backers of a general marijuana legalization measure will
continue to collect signatures in hopes of qualifying for the ballot.

They have until Oct. 20 to turn in signatures, as do proponents of an
initiative to allow $500 million in bonds to be sold to pay for school
tornado shelters, with the bonds supported by the state's general
revenue fund.  
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D