Pubdate: Mon, 18 Apr 2016
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2016 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463

MEDICAL POT

Oklahomans Aren't Ready for It

If at first (and second) you can't succeed ...

Supporters of legalizing the medical use of marijuana have filed a 
third attempt at a statewide ballot petition. Similar petitions were 
filed the past two years and both fell short of gathering enough 
support to make the ballot. But there's reason for some supporter 
optimism this time.

Instead of seeking a constitutional amendment, Oklahomans for Health 
are only looking for a statutory change, so their signature threshold 
is lower. They need 65,987 signatures. One of the previous attempts 
at a constitutional amendment reportedly gathered more than 75,000 signatures.

Also, the group has added former Democratic nominee for governor Joe 
Dorman to its board of directors, a political endorsement of some value.

So, with hard work, they might get there this time.

We don't think most Oklahomans are ready to broadly legalize the use 
of marijuana, even if access is restricted to medical uses.

We sympathize with suffering people who believe they can get relief 
with marijuana treatments. We also want those people protected 
against snake oil and wish drugs. When the U.S. Food and Drug 
Administration finds that marijuana is safe and effective, we'll be 
ready to change the law.

Let's be honest and admit that medical marijuana legalization is 
often a cover for recreational marijuana use. In California, medical 
marijuana is available for those suffering from many things, 
including anxiety. Here's our prescription: If you're anxious about 
something, a few tokes of marijuana might make you feel better, but 
the cause of your concerns will still be there when you're not high.

Medical marijuana has gained voter support in other states, but our 
sense is that Oklahomans aren't ready for it here.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom