Pubdate: Sat, 12 Apr 2014
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Page: A1
Copyright: 2014 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Barbara Hoberock

VOTE ON MEDICAL MARIJUANA SOUGHT

OKLAHOMA CITY - Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana on Friday
filed notice with the Secretary of State's Office that they are trying
to get it on the Nov. 4 ballot.

Supporters have 90 days after filing the petition, or a determination
by the Oklahoma Supreme Court to its sufficiency, whichever is later,
to submit the signatures. They are required to obtain 155,216 signatures.

According to information provided by the Secretary of State's Office,
the notice of intent to circulate the petition was filed by Oklahomans
for Health and Charles "Chip" Paul of Tulsa. Paul is the co-owner of
an electronic cigarette franchise company.

Paul said supporters are seeking financial support to put together an
organization to circulate the petition. The group's website is
oklahomansforhealth.com. If approved by voters, the measure would
amend the Oklahoma Constitution.

The ballot title says: "It allows for the classification of marijuana
as a herbal drug regulated by the Oklahoma State Department of Health
and permits the use of marijuana, under a physician's guidance, for
certain medical conditions including cancer, HIV, AIDS, Hepatitis C,
multiple sclerosis and other conditions.

"It allows for the sale of marijuana to licensed patients by licensed
dispensaries, it allows for the growth of marijuana for sale to
licensed dispensaries by licensed growers. It permits licensed and
unlicensed patients to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a
defense to any prosecution involving marijuana."

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control is
concerned about problems that have arisen in states that have passed
similar laws, said Mark Woodward, a spokesman for the agency.

"It is very concerning, and it sends a terrible message to our kids
that marijuana is now medicine when we are spending so much time
trying to keep our kids off of drugs," Woodward said. 
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