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Oklahoma Voters Legalize Marijuana For Medical Use
Posted by CN Staff on June 27, 2018 at 06:04:05 PT
By Tom Angell, Contributor
Source: Forbes
Oklahoma -- Voters in Oklahoma approved a ballot measure making the state the 30th in the nation to allow broad access to medical marijuana. The proposal, which passed by a 57% to 43% margin on Tuesday, will allow doctors to recommend cannabis for any medical condition they see fit.Most other state medical marijuana laws delineate a specific list of diseases and disorders for which physicians can authorize patients' participation.
The approval of such a far-reaching marijuana proposal in a deeply red state like Oklahoma -- during a midterm primary election, no less -- is a clear sign of the mainstream political support that cannabis reform now enjoys.The campaign didn't appear to have significant funding from major national drug policy reform groups that have helped to pass measures in other states over several past election cycles. It also faced an opposition that poured roughly half a million dollars into television ads seeking to undermine support for medical marijuana.But the initiative was approved anyway, suggesting that cannabis politics have now evolved to the point where voters in places like Oklahoma don't necessarily need to be convinced to support reform proposals when they are placed on the ballot.Nationally, polling shows that more than 90% of voters support medical cannabis , with roughly two-thirds backing recreational marijuana legalization.“Public support for medical marijuana access is non-partisan,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said in a statement. “Even in a predominantly ‘red’ state like Oklahoma, it is the will of the voters to enact common sense, yet significant marijuana law reforms.”Under the new Oklahoma law as drafted, legal patients will receive state ID cards and be allowed to possess three ounces of cannabis in public, and store up to eight ounces at home.Home cultivation of six mature plants and six seedlings is allowed, as is possession of up to one ounce of cannabis concentrates and 72 ounces of marijuana-infused edible products. Patients could also designate a caregiver to purchase or grow medicine for them.The new law would also add some level of protection for medical cannabis patients who don't go through the step of getting a state-issued identification card. People who are caught with 1.5 ounces or less of marijuana and can "state a medical condition" would face a misdemeanor offense punishable by no more than a $400 fine.The state would issue licenses for medical cannabis cultivation, processing, transportation and dispensing businesses, and a 7% retail tax would be applied to medical cannabis sales. Revenue would first go toward covering implementation and regulation costs, with the remainder funding education as well as drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs.Any of these provisions are subject to change, however, and there are indications that they may be amended soon.Gov. Mary Fallin (R) said last week that she was prepared to call lawmakers into a special legislative session this summer to address provisions which, in her view, essentially allow "recreational marijuana in the state of Oklahoma."And in a statement on Tuesday night, the governor said she "respect[s] the will of the voters in any question placed before them to determine the direction of our state" but that "it is our responsibility as state leaders to look out for the health and safety of Oklahoma citizens."I will be discussing with legislative leaders and state agencies our options going forward on how best to proceed with adding a medical and proper regulatory framework to make sure marijuana use is truly for valid medical illnesses. http://t.co/CDLlhjb2fd— Governor Mary Fallin - June 27, 2018In the lead up to the vote, the measure faced vocal opposition from Fallin and from other popular officials like U.S. Sen. James Lankford (R), who appeared in a television ad urging voters to reject medical marijuana. Groups like the Oklahoma State Medical Association, the Oklahoma Sheriffs’ Association and the Oklahoma District Attorneys Association also campaigned against legalization.In another challenge for supporters, several Oklahoma voters reported in social media posts that they had been given ballots that did not include the medical marijuana question."It is noteworthy that this measure passed in such a red state during a primary election, when voter turnout tends to be older and more conservative than during a general election," Karen O'Keefe, state policies director for the Marijuana Policy Project, said in a press release. "Support for medical marijuana is overwhelming, and it spans the political and demographic spectrums."There was a chance the medical marijuana measure could have appeared before Oklahoma voters during the 2016 general election but, because a dispute over its ballot title with then-Attorney General Scott Pruitt—who now heads the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency—wasn't settled in time by the state Supreme Court, consideration was delayed.Fallin placed the measure on the June 26 primary ballot, which some advocates viewed as an effort to sink its chances because turnout dynamics are typically more favorable for cannabis proposals during general elections when young people and other demographics that are more favorable to reform are more likely to vote.Oklahoma, like more than a dozen other states that don't have comprehensive medical marijuana programs, already has a law allowing limited access to non-psychoactive cannabis extracts that are used to treat severe seizure disorders and other conditions.Several other states are expected to see measures to legalize recreational marijuana or allow medical cannabis on their November ballots.Tom Angell publishes Marijuana Moment news and founded the nonprofit Marijuana Majority. Source: Forbes Magazine (US)Author: Tom Angell, ContributorPublished: June 26, 2018Copyright: 2018 Forbes Inc.Contact: readers forbes.comWebsite: http://www.forbes.com/URL: http://drugsense.org/url/0mzgIhkTCannabisNews Medical Marijuana Archiveshttp://cannabisnews.com/news/list/medical.shtml 
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Comment #14 posted by FoM on July 02, 2018 at 19:45:24 PT
Hope
We are the world...
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #13 posted by Hope on July 01, 2018 at 20:55:24 PT
Wow! We are the World!
That was an amazing recording. It was so beautiful. Nearly everyone that was a star back then came together to make that fantastic recording. I was impressed then and I'm still impressed. 
[ Post Comment ]


Comment #12 posted by FoM on June 30, 2018 at 20:38:07 PT
Hope
Very well said like only you can. Minorities will be the majority soon and nothing will stop it from happening. It is coming so we might as well become inclusive. Fear of change doesn't stop change from coming and neither does being upset about it. We are the world. We are the children.....https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zi0RpNSELas
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Comment #11 posted by Hope on June 30, 2018 at 17:52:27 PT
It does seem like 500 years!
Yes. Many Americans are thrilled with the "Fighter" and the "Dickishness" of Trump. It's sad. They feel like they finally have a voice and someone in power who is like them and agrees with them. Yes. That is somewhat alarming. I thought Nixon was pretty danged Dickish... but Trump may out Dickish him. But this is nothing new. It's always been out there. It's what we've been fighting against for years. The true Dickishness of this Prohibition and it's true believers has been an eye-opener. Mean, merciless, and hateful people have always been prevalent... in life and in government. That's just the way it is. We have to fight it in all it's aspects by pointing out the wrong ... and not being just as wrong in the opposite direction or some other way.I truly never realized a certain sect of horse's butts felt they were ignored by the powers that be. I thought they were pretty much already running things. Lockstep status quo. But they felt ignored and belittled. And there's a horrendous bunch of them, too. Let me add, at this point, I feel that I have watched really bad, stupid, childish behavior on both sides. Pro-Trump and Anti-Trump. His fans exist though. They are the old birthers still complaining about the last administration. These are the same people that said President Obama would declare Marshal Law and never leave office and it was all a planned Muslim takeover. They believed a congressman and Presidential candidate wasn't thoroughly vetted as to his eligibility to be President. Trump, himself, even claimed to be a birther, up until he quietly disavowed it at some point where he deemed it pertinent to do so. At one time though, he either actually believed it or was doing some sort of political maneuvering to that group with an eye to promoting himself as the next President. It made me seriously doubt his judgment, though... that's for sure.The most vociferous Trumpsters have believed and still believe a lot of crazy things. They aren't about the things that I always thought made the United States of America... Great. They are very afraid of and hating the influx of different cultures and freaking out over some of the issues that come with that. And he's their voice. I believe we have to pray for all our Presidents as they are making important judgements and decisions while in office. For all their Administrations. Maybe this one more than some.
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Comment #10 posted by FoM on June 30, 2018 at 15:13:19 PT
Hope
Jon Stewart on Colbert on Thursday Night sums it all up for me.              
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=3&v=PYCPZrOkZx0
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Comment #9 posted by Hope on June 30, 2018 at 10:49:16 PT
I was thinking about Presidents and dignity
and good manners.I'm smiling as I think of this. Remember LBJ? He was pretty amazing in the undignified department from time to time and we survived him. And I still never knew of anyone like him... not even in Texas.Not smiling. Remember Nixon? Remember Monica? The list is long. We've survived a lot of crap in our Presidential terms. We'll survive this, too. I think we'll survive him, anyway until I think about some of the dangers and people he is in the position of having to negotiate with. That's just scary all over. Any way you look at it!But if the Earth survives. We will, too. Still campaigning for civility as human beings. Civility is good. I think it is. 
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Comment #8 posted by FoM on June 29, 2018 at 20:29:28 PT
Hope
I don't understand people liking him. He is everything I don't like in a person wrapped up into one. I believe with power goes responsibility. Being President of a country like ours deserves more then we have. The world is laughing at us. I am glad I am older and won't be affected much by policies he might make under his term. I didn't like Clinton but Trump is over the top. Many protests are scheduled on the detaining of the children tomorrow and will be on the news all day. Power to the People! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qaHyvyr43c
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Comment #7 posted by Hope on June 29, 2018 at 17:16:43 PT
I don't think the President
will have anything to do with anyone teaching their children manners. If they do at all. A lot of people don't seem to. This too will pass. Don't forget that there are a lot of people that do like him. They admire him. I'm not so sure why, but they do and they're Gung Ho about it... and I don't participate in defending or knocking him. Although I'm always more inclined to defend those that are being mocked or insulted, not this time. I'm still amazed that he has so many people so crazy about him and everything he does. 
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Comment #6 posted by FoM on June 29, 2018 at 05:21:09 PT
Hope
I have so much worry for our country now for the young folks that will feel the full impact of this administration. We went from having a President with dignity and really was doing his best to help the people to now. How will parents teach their children respect and manners? I am glad many of our neighbors are Amish anymore. 
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Comment #5 posted by Hope on June 28, 2018 at 19:05:09 PT
FoM
I am pretty calm about it, too. I was very anxious the first year or more. Very. I'm thinking we're rolling now. Or to use a railroad term... We're highballing. Be hard to stop this train now.I'm thanking God and all of you!
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Comment #4 posted by FoM on June 28, 2018 at 05:39:04 PT
Just a Comment
Everyday and sometimes more then once a day I think what will Trump say or do now to hurt society. Obama made a way for us to make change happen from the bottom up like he said not the top down during his 8 years and I am so grateful. The snowball was so tiny and now it is so big all politicians can do is step aside and not get run over. I think how will this hurt us when Trump does something but when it comes to our issue I don't think he can hurt us and what a good feeling.
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Comment #3 posted by Hope on June 27, 2018 at 20:41:20 PT
Well, that was quick. For a change.
First Oklahoma medical marijuana clinic opens in Tulsahttp://ktul.com/news/local/first-oklahoma-medical-marijuana-clinic-opens-in-tulsa
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Comment #2 posted by Hope on June 27, 2018 at 12:34:04 PT
No more persecution.... maybe...
like the old trooper, Will Foster had to go through. He drew down 93 years from a bunch of enshrined lunatics for getting caught growing personal medicinal cannabis.There were others, too, but Will Foster easily comes to mind when I remember the lives prohibition in Oklahoma has wrecked.Already the Governor there is going after what the voters have called for, to "Scale back" the provisions she thinks need "Scaling back". You know... because the voters went way too far, according to her, in her teeny tiny, closed off, walled up, little mind.
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Comment #1 posted by The GCW on June 27, 2018 at 12:14:13 PT
Good news
"The approval of such a far-reaching marijuana proposal in a deeply red state like Oklahoma -- during a midterm primary election, no less -- is a clear sign of the mainstream political support that cannabis reform now enjoys."Really puts in into perspective.
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