Thanks for pointing that out. This is the full piece plus link.
Notable quotes:
“It's a snowball effect that's almost unstoppable at this point. People are fed up with these ridiculous laws, and they want to be able to have access to the health benefits of medical marijuana.” --Ron Ferrell, 63, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“If I were arrested or put in jail because I have oil in my body or I've smoked, it is causing me harm,” Amber said while fighting back tears. "I'm not causing any harm to anyone else by just taking care of my health in the way I choose to do so.” --Vallee Amber, 61, of Lexington, Oklahoma
Marijuana legalization supporters rally at Oklahoma Capitol
Hundreds of supporters for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana rallied at the Oklahoma Capitol on Wednesday, speaking with lawmakers and lobbying for medicinal use of the drug.
By Graham Lee Brewer
February 13, 2014
Ginger (pictured) suffers from Tardive dyskinesia and would like to use marijuana to help manage symptoms of the disease.
Supporters gathered for speeches in front of the Capitol, piled into conference rooms and packed the Senate gallery, voicing concerns over what many called the over-criminalization of the drug and the necessity for its use as a medicine.
Ron Ferrell, 63, of Oklahoma City, was among those who were actively lobbying their lawmakers on the issue. Ferrell said, regardless of Oklahoma's reputation as being behind the times socially, he feels the momentum of the medical marijuana movement will eventually take hold in the state.
“It's a snowball effect that's almost unstoppable at this point,” Ferrell said. “People are fed up with these ridiculous laws, and they want to be able to have access to the health benefits of medical marijuana.”
Many of the supporters were there to back Senate Bill 2116, which would allow people 21 years old and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and allow for lawful cultivation of the plant.
Vallee Amber, 61, of Lexington, is battling breast cancer and went through her fourth round of chemotherapy in August.
Amber said the medicine prescribed to her makes her feel too sick to eat and, as a result, she has lost 60 pounds. She said smoking marijuana was the only thing that got her through her final month of chemotherapy. Amber said it's a shame she has to live in fear of the law simply because of the treatment she prefers, including cannabis oils.
“If I were arrested or put in jail because I have oil in my body or I've smoked, it's causing me harm,” Amber said while fighting back tears. “I'm not causing any harm to anyone else by just taking care of my health in the way I choose to do so.”
Senate Bill 902, which would allow the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to create rules for licensure of medical marijuana sales, is also alive in the current session.
The issue of medicinal use is a valid one but it has been unfairly seized upon by the legalization effort, said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Woodward said if medicinal purposes are proven to be effective, states can have those discussions. But, he said, full legalization is only going to cause more problems.
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http://newsok.com/marijuana-legalization-supp...le/3933076
Notable quotes:
“It's a snowball effect that's almost unstoppable at this point. People are fed up with these ridiculous laws, and they want to be able to have access to the health benefits of medical marijuana.” --Ron Ferrell, 63, of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
“If I were arrested or put in jail because I have oil in my body or I've smoked, it is causing me harm,” Amber said while fighting back tears. "I'm not causing any harm to anyone else by just taking care of my health in the way I choose to do so.” --Vallee Amber, 61, of Lexington, Oklahoma
Marijuana legalization supporters rally at Oklahoma Capitol
Hundreds of supporters for the legalization and decriminalization of marijuana rallied at the Oklahoma Capitol on Wednesday, speaking with lawmakers and lobbying for medicinal use of the drug.
By Graham Lee Brewer
February 13, 2014
Ginger (pictured) suffers from Tardive dyskinesia and would like to use marijuana to help manage symptoms of the disease.
Supporters gathered for speeches in front of the Capitol, piled into conference rooms and packed the Senate gallery, voicing concerns over what many called the over-criminalization of the drug and the necessity for its use as a medicine.
Ron Ferrell, 63, of Oklahoma City, was among those who were actively lobbying their lawmakers on the issue. Ferrell said, regardless of Oklahoma's reputation as being behind the times socially, he feels the momentum of the medical marijuana movement will eventually take hold in the state.
“It's a snowball effect that's almost unstoppable at this point,” Ferrell said. “People are fed up with these ridiculous laws, and they want to be able to have access to the health benefits of medical marijuana.”
Many of the supporters were there to back Senate Bill 2116, which would allow people 21 years old and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and allow for lawful cultivation of the plant.
Vallee Amber, 61, of Lexington, is battling breast cancer and went through her fourth round of chemotherapy in August.
Amber said the medicine prescribed to her makes her feel too sick to eat and, as a result, she has lost 60 pounds. She said smoking marijuana was the only thing that got her through her final month of chemotherapy. Amber said it's a shame she has to live in fear of the law simply because of the treatment she prefers, including cannabis oils.
“If I were arrested or put in jail because I have oil in my body or I've smoked, it's causing me harm,” Amber said while fighting back tears. “I'm not causing any harm to anyone else by just taking care of my health in the way I choose to do so.”
Senate Bill 902, which would allow the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to create rules for licensure of medical marijuana sales, is also alive in the current session.
The issue of medicinal use is a valid one but it has been unfairly seized upon by the legalization effort, said Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control. Woodward said if medicinal purposes are proven to be effective, states can have those discussions. But, he said, full legalization is only going to cause more problems.
###
http://newsok.com/marijuana-legalization-supp...le/3933076
