Pubdate: Tue, 12 Apr 2016
Source: Tulsa World (OK)
Copyright: 2016 World Publishing Co.
Contact:  http://www.tulsaworld.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/463
Author: Barbara Hoberock

MEDICAL MARIJUANA SUPPORTERS FILE NEW PAPERS

They Will Try a Petition Drive for the Third Time.

OKLAHOMA CITY - Supporters of legalizing the use of marijuana for 
medical purposes will try for a third time to get the issue on the 
statewide ballot.

Oklahomans for Health on Monday filed papers with the Secretary of 
State's Office indicating its plans to circulate another initiative petition.

A similar effort in 2014 by the group failed to secure the needed signatures.

Last year, another group, Green the Vote, failed to secure the needed 
signatures to get the issue on the ballot.

Chip Paul, one of three chairmen of Oklahomans for Health, said his 
group is more organized than it was in 2014.

The group needs fewer signatures this time, in part because 
supporters are not seeking a constitutional amendment but an 
initiative for a law change.

Oklahomans for Health needs 65,987 signatures to get the issue on the 
ballot. A constitutional amendment currently requires 123,725 signatures.

The threshold in 2014 was 155,216 for a constitutional amendment. 
Oklahomans for Health obtained slightly more than 75,000 signatures.

The requirements are based on percentages of votes cast in the last 
election for governor.

Former state Rep. Joe Dorman, D-Rush Springs, who made a failed 
attempt to unseat Gov. Mary Fallin in 2014, has signed on as a board 
member with Oklahomans for Health.

"This is not full legalization," Dorman said, but rather for medical 
purposes under a doctor's care.

"I want to encourage people to keep an open mind about this 
proposal," Dorman said. "I certainly trust doctors and health care 
providers to offer the proper medication for the treatment over 
bureaucrats and politicians."

Supporters hope to get State Question 787 on the November ballot. The 
group plans to begin collecting signatures in early May.

"There is a process of review which the Attorney General and 
Secretary of State must follow," Dorman said in a news release 
Monday. "This is a very formal process and we will respect the 
timeframe it takes them to properly guarantee a valid petition."

Once the petition has been certified as valid and the ballot title is 
approved, the group will have 90 days to collect the signatures.

More information about Oklahomans for Health and the latest 
initiative is available at ok4health.com.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom