Pubdate: Sun, 17 Jul 2016
Source: Oklahoman, The (OK)
Copyright: 2016 The Oklahoma Publishing Co.
Contact: http://www.newsok.com/voices/guidelines
Website: http://newsok.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/318
Author: Robert Medley

MEDICAL MARIJUANA PETITION DRIVE UNDERWAY

Tents flapped in the northwest Oklahoma City wind as Michael Beck and 
another man arrived in a pickup, ready to sign a petition seeking a 
state vote to legalize medical marijuana.

Beck, 25, said he has never used marijuana, but he has a niece who 
can benefit from it and whose mother and father have moved to 
Colorado where it's legal.

Flags bearing a marijuana leaf and medical symbol waved in the wind 
as Beck talked.

A group known as Oklahomans for Health is taking petition signatures 
until Aug. 11 on the northeast corner of N Meridian Avenue and 
Northwest Expressway. They hope to gather 66,000 legible signatures 
from registered voters, said Frank Grove, a board member of the group 
who is volunteering to work at the tents the group calls "Fort Canna."

Grove, 29, of Tulsa, said the number of signatures has not been 
counted, but he estimates the number to be about 50,000.

With permits from the city, Go Code HBQO Enter the Go Code above 
online at Oklahoman.com to watch a video related to this story. the 
group is allowed to take signatures all day and night.

Beck said his niece has a muscular condition that keeps her from 
using her arms. Cannabis oil has helped her, he said. He said he 
wants to see voters legalize medical marijuana, "So people don't have 
to leave the state."

Grove said his father has brain cancer and could benefit from 
cannabis oil treatments.

"I'm racing against the clock to get cannabis oil treatment for him," he said.

Volunteer Anthony Kimble, 19, of Tulsa, said it is important that the 
signatures can be read when the petition is turned in at the state 
Capitol by 5 p.m. Aug. 11. A petition drive two years ago failed to 
get the required number of legible signatures.

Grove said about 300 people a day have been signing the petition. He 
said he hopes the question will be on the general election ballot on Nov. 8.

"I have no doubt it will pass," Grove said.

For more information about the petition, go to okforhealth.org.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom