Oklahoma To Consider “Compassionate” Marijuana Use

Lawmakers for the first time will consider legislation that seeks to exempt qualified medical marijuana patients from statewide criminal penalties.
Senate Bill 573 seeks to create the “Compassionate Use Act of 2011.” Under this Act, “The provisions of Section 2-402 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes relating to the possession of marijuana and Section 2-509 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes relating to the cultivation of marijuana shall not apply to a patient, or to a patient’s primary caregiver, who possesses or cultivates marijuana for the personal medical purposes of the patient upon the written or oral recommendation or approval of a physician.”
Under present law, the cultivation of even a single marijuana plant is classified as a felony offense, punishable by up to life in prison. Passage of SB 573 would provide needed legal relief for patients who presently suffer under some of the strictest marijuana penalties in the nation.
Further information about this and other statewide reform efforts is available from Oklahoma NORML, or by writing: ekco@swbell.net. You can also contact your state Senator about SB 573 by entering your zip code below.



NORML