Hey, I support recreational legalization. Just don't treat me like I'm an idiot while some guy in a tye dye shirt with dreads asks me to sign a "medical marijuana" petition...

So, maybe, when the push was on in 1959 to legalize alcohol in Oklahoma, opponents were insisting people only wanted it legal in order to get drunk. Maybe an old timer can remember how that went. And probably back then people who really wanted to get drunk had an adequate supplier as is now with people wanting to get high from marijuana.At that time, I was the Oklahoman's police reporter, and in quite close contact with the situation. The key to victory for the wet forces was quite simple: Edmondson and Joe Cannon enforced existing law, TO THE LETTER, with two notable exceptions: the Oklahoma City Press Club, and the Branding Iron (the private bottle club to which the governor belonged). I was present the night they raided Dick Dolph's establishment just north of the Capitol building and hauled a batch of legislators and lobbyists away in paddy wagons. The OHP had roadblocks on every major highway just inside the state lines, and stopped and searched every vehicle for bootleg booze.

By the time election day rolled around, voters were so tired of the hassle that the outcome was quite predictable.

If the state could get similar leadership once more, and really enforce existing drug law, I'm certain the results would be quite similar. But who, these days, would dare bust down every door in Gallardia on suspicion of drug use, or put roadblocks and searches on I35 and I40?

Oh, yes, thirsty folk had it easy before 1958, and it cost less also -- with delivery to your door at any hour day or night. Cost less because there was no state tax on it!

...
If the state could get similar leadership once more, and really enforce existing drug law, I'm certain the results would be quite similar. But who, these days, would dare bust down every door in Gallardia on suspicion of drug use, or put roadblocks and searches on I35 and I40?

...

But do reasonable people really want existing drug law enforced? It's been an unmitigated, horrible, nasty disaster so far, pretty much all over the USA, and in tons of countries around the world, and drug laws have been *changed* in tons of countries around the world as a result of the "war on drugs" (and are starting to change here in the USA, but slower than in other countries).

If they were enforced ACROSS THE BOARD with equal treatment for everyone, I think reasonable people would support that. How long do you think the "forfeiture" racket would continue after a few CEOs of major businesses lost all their possessions to an unfounded suspicion? How long would people put up with roadblocks and long lines at every state line, plus others at random locations everywhere? How long would parents endure their kids' schools and universities being put on lockdown and everyone being strip-searched?

Strict, full enforcement of ridiculously oppressive laws is the quickest way to see them eliminated, as we proved in 1959.

However, so long as those in authority find it profitable to leave the laws on the books and enforce them only against those who cannot afford to fight back, our miserable "war on drugs" will continue to provide good income to the drug dealers, and a drain on resources that could be put to better use such as education or even charity....

I didn't get any of that from the linked article. He seems to be speaking towards why he thinks less people are signing the petition...



And like I said, I don't think he's wrong.

Im not sure hes right. I think the biggest reason that fewer people are signing the petitions is because of who is behind them, lack of organization and lack of funds. But I wont argue with him about many supporters of medical pot are really gunning for full blown recreational pot. And so be it. The best way to show people of the little harm there is is to actually have more users amongst us. Thats why Colorado was so ahead of everyone else, because it was prevelant in the state and people realized that it wasnt a big deal. The same with gay marriage. More people started coming out, so more people began to realize they had friends, neighbors and family members that were gay and saw that they were normal.

At the end of that article Woodward says theres a lot of collateral damage with legalization. I think most experts would say that theres more with prohibition.

If they were enforced ACROSS THE BOARD with equal treatment for everyone, I think reasonable people would support that. How long do you think the "forfeiture" racket would continue after a few CEOs of major businesses lost all their possessions to an unfounded suspicion? How long would people put up with roadblocks and long lines at every state line, plus others at random locations everywhere? How long would parents endure their kids' schools and universities being put on lockdown and everyone being strip-searched?

Strict, full enforcement of ridiculously oppressive laws is the quickest way to see them eliminated, as we proved in 1959.

However, so long as those in authority find it profitable to leave the laws on the books and enforce them only against those who cannot afford to fight back, our miserable "war on drugs" will continue to provide good income to the drug dealers, and a drain on resources that could be put to better use such as education or even charity....

Gotcha, now I understand, and agree, thanks for the reply.

God Bless these drug warriors!!!

Three Cimarron County lawmen keep watch for pot from Colorado | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/three-cimarron-county-lawmen-keep-watch-for-pot-from-colorado/article/5493628)

God Bless these drug warriors!!!

Three Cimarron County lawmen keep watch for pot from Colorado | NewsOK.com (http://m.newsok.com/three-cimarron-county-lawmen-keep-watch-for-pot-from-colorado/article/5493628)

From the article:

Boring said he thinks Pruitt has identified a serious problem in Oklahoma, considering his office and many others like it across the state are working more cases with fewer resources.

“We have our hands full with crimes against children, rapes, molestation, homicides,” he said. “That‘s the stuff we've got to devote our attention to, and when we do it properly we don't have time to deal with much else.”
-------
Well, then work on those and don't mess with marijuana busts, get your priorities straight...

I wish the federal government would deschedule marijuana. That could solve a lot of these problems, especially are more states legalize it. Marijuana prohibition does nothing but provide more profits to the black market, private prisons, and weakens civil liberties. The only reason it hasn't been as big of a "failure" as alcohol prohibition is that marijuana has never played as big of a role in western culture as alcohol has, but the same principle applies.

Eh, he's not wrong though. No matter how you feel about legalization, if you think that the whole "medical marijuana" push is about helping sick people, and not about progressing to full legalization for recreational use, you're fooling yourself.

No doubt that supporters for legalization will attempt to use this as a cornerstone for their efforts; those that want marijuana can easily obtain it without legalization.

Medical marijuana is like any other drug where people will attempt to find a reason to obtain a prescription with the intent to abuse.

Let's not deny those children who need this prescription without having to go to the nearest state like Colorado to obtain medication.

Mother Hen (Oklahoma) wants to sit on eggs she's afraid to hatch; probably because she doesn't know who the hatchlings' 'father' might be.

24 Legal Medical Marijuana States and DC - Medical Marijuana - ProCon.org (http://medicalmarijuana.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881)

I wish the federal government would deschedule marijuana. That could solve a lot of these problems, especially are more states legalize it. Marijuana prohibition does nothing but provide more profits to the black market, private prisons, and weakens civil liberties. The only reason it hasn't been as big of a "failure" as alcohol prohibition is that marijuana has never played as big of a role in western culture as alcohol has, but the same principle applies.

But Oklahoma has a drug schedule, too. And, if I'm right, it says that the Oklahoma drug schedule doesn't have to follow changes made in the federal drug schedule.

http://kfor.com/2016/04/30/i-wanted-everyone-to-know-that-itll-kill-you-family-sues-smoke-shop-after-sons-death/

First of all, I had no idea that synthetic K2 was still legal in Oklahoma. I guess they slightly change the chemical composition every time another batch of chemicals is banned, but over time it seems like it is becoming more and more dangerous than it was when the stuff first hit the market.

Secondly, none of this would be an issue if medical marijuana was legal in Oklahoma. NOBODY would smoke that K2 garbage for any reason if they could legally use the real thing.

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/s851x315/13096212_1055111177909903_183980544063961709_n.png ?oh=8dd4a611d23e384d8c45565f392bdfec&oe=57B13EB1

Chickasha paper okay with medical marijuana: http://www.chickashanews.com/opinion/dorman-s-medicinal-marijuana-efforts-are-promising-but-should-be/article_8d71191c-035e-11e6-88ae-e7d2b294c702.html

Chickasha paper okay with medical marijuana: http://www.chickashanews.com/opinion/dorman-s-medicinal-marijuana-efforts-are-promising-but-should-be/article_8d71191c-035e-11e6-88ae-e7d2b294c702.html

Lets hope the major newspapers and media follows along with the Fighting Chickasha's soon. It's just a matter of time before this will be legal in all states so IMO we (OKLAHOMANS!) might as well just hop on this train and start collecting much needed taxes.

It's just not the evil drug that many people have been brainwashed to believe.

...

It's just not the evil drug that many people have been brainwashed to believe.

Indeed. If people knew the information that is in the stories I posted in #1071, they might not be so quick to just go for the knee-jerk "Reefer Madness" response. Portugal is doing pretty well after they legalized everything (no, not wonderful, but pretty well), and the one statistic that is frequently bandied about is very telling - how many people have died from an overdose of marijuana? 0.

Interesting article on what legalization has done so far.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/legal-pot-and-the-black-market/481506/

Joe Dorman shown out very early Saturday morning in Tulsa getting signatures to help kick things off, including from a local Ghostbuster. This page list places that have the petitions available to sign: https://oklahomansforhealth.com/map

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/s480x480/13173882_1735606519988796_8546050361840849354_n.jp g?oh=bba981a3eb14fd3e324a492a6d136189&oe=579CA369

Interesting article on what legalization has done so far.

http://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2016/05/legal-pot-and-the-black-market/481506/

The dealers make a lot of money selling illegal marijuana and of course a lot of them aren't just going to pack up and quit the day its legalized. The repeal of prohibition didn't completely kill moonshining, but it eradicated most of the problem. In time, these people will go out of business.

Has anybody heard how signature collection is going?

The dealers make a lot of money selling illegal marijuana and of course a lot of them aren't just going to pack up and quit the day its legalized. The repeal of prohibition didn't completely kill moonshining, but it eradicated most of the problem. In time, these people will go out of business.

I read an interesting article on how some areas, such as DC, implemented the repeal of prohibition. Basically, very low taxes on legal product, in order to keep prices down, severe penalties on bootleggers who continued, and a clear path for legalization for those that chose to do so. Then, after several years of these policies, they raised the taxes, and there wasn't the strong prohibition market to compete with.

I'd like to see a plan laid out similar if we get to that point with cannabis.

The dealers make a lot of money selling illegal marijuana and of course a lot of them aren't just going to pack up and quit the day its legalized. The repeal of prohibition didn't completely kill moonshining, but it eradicated most of the problem. In time, these people will go out of business.

Very hard for a dealer to compete with legal dispensaries. I mean have you been to one? I don't know how they could compete with variety and price.

Very hard for a dealer to compete with legal dispensaries. I mean have you been to one? I don't know how they could compete with variety and price.

It is VERY hard for dispensaries to compete on price. Dispensaries have a supply chain & taxes to deal with that both add costs. A lot of dealers are their own supply chain, and don't report taxes. Variety, novelty & being legal are for sure where dispensaries add value.

Very hard for a dealer to compete with legal dispensaries. I mean have you been to one? I don't know how they could compete with variety and price.

There's a reason why McCormick Vodka sells so well. Some people prioritize price over quality.

There's a reason why McCormick Vodka sells so well. Some people prioritize price over quality.

I don't think that comparison is very good. It would be more of buying vodka at a liquor store or going to a guy that sells vodka that he makes/buys unregulated on the street corner which happens to be illegal to do so. The liquor store costs more, but way more factors involved than quality.

I don't think that comparison is very good. It would be more of buying vodka at a liquor store or going to a guy that sells vodka that he makes/buys unregulated on the street corner which happens to be illegal to do so. The liquor store costs more, but way more factors involved than quality.

But people are making that choice. I'll have to find the article I was reading the other day, but basically it states that illegal street sales of marijuana weren't dropping in areas where it was legalized, and the big reason it stated for that was pricing.

Found it -

http://www.cnbcprime.com/marijuana/video/pot-after-hours-the-black-market/


According to the state, only 60 percent of the marijuana consumed in Colorado is sold legally. The rest goes through neighborhood distributors like Ben, or larger operators.

and



Buckland says his pot costs a third of what you’d find in a licensed store.

Found it -

http://www.cnbcprime.com/marijuana/video/pot-after-hours-the-black-market/



and

Interesting read. The Washington Post recently reported that the price for legal marijuana in Washington is plummetting:


...seasoned drug policy analysts have long predicted this effect. As noted by Caulkins and his colleagues in the book "Marijuana Legalization: What Everyone Needs to Know," prohibition imposes many costs on drug producers. They must operate covertly, forgo advertising, pay higher wages to compensate for the risk of arrest, and lack recourse to civil courts for resolving contract disputes. Legal companies in contrast endure none of these costs and also can benefit from economies of scale that push production costs down.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wonk/wp/2016/05/04/the-price-of-legal-pot-is-collapsing/

I agree that prices will fall over time. It's why I support the concept of lower initial taxation, in order to be more competitive in the short term with the black market, and then over time increased taxation.

Has anybody heard how signature collection is going?

KFOR article said 8,000 to 10,000 signatures as of May 31. This is not a fast enough pace to make their goal of 86,000. They need paid signature takers. They might have enough money to put together a mobile crew to go to the bigger small towns in Oklahoma, like they did in 2014.
http://kfor.com/2016/05/31/petition-to-legalize-medical-marijuana-underway/

The people behind the two petitions for justice reform, which makes all illegal drug possession a misdemeanor got through early and turned in over 230,000 signatures. They supposedly got money from at least one drug test company.
https://www.okjusticereform.org/updates/reached-big-milestone/

I've gotten 100 signatures, so far, for the medical marijuana petition and a like amount for their other petition. Maybe I would have gotten at least double that, if I was paid per signature.

I've signed the two ballots that OK for Health is pushing. It'll reach a point, I fear, where people will stop signing these and become suspect of their effectiveness if they keep having to do this every year. Only speculating from a layman perspective...

http://www.smobserved.com/story/2016/06/18/news/us-govt-will-legalize-marijuana-on-august-1/1484.html

This could be bad.

http://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/nightmare-of-schedule-ii-cannabis.html

This could be bad.

http://www.inc.com/will-yakowicz/nightmare-of-schedule-ii-cannabis.html
Denver Post said the federal non-enforcement policy for recreational marijuana should be continued: http://www.denverpost.com/2016/06/17/how-the-dea-should-classify-marijuana/

I've signed the two ballots that OK for Health is pushing. It'll reach a point, I fear, where people will stop signing these and become suspect of their effectiveness if they keep having to do this every year. Only speculating from a layman perspective...

They're petitions, not ballots. It was said the corner of NW Expressway and Meridian got nearly 500 signatures in 3 hours last Sunday. Hopefully, more hot corners in OKC are being taken advantage of.

I wish they had some sort of counter on their website showing an estimate of how many signatures they have. I think some people think this is an easy get and I would hate for the final day to arrive and they are way short.

I wish they had some sort of counter on their website showing an estimate of how many signatures they have. I think some people think this is an easy get and I would hate for the final day to arrive and they are way short.

That would be a great idea actually

I wish they had some sort of counter on their website showing an estimate of how many signatures they have. I think some people think this is an easy get and I would hate for the final day to arrive and they are way short.

Get at least 15% more signatures than required to account for those that will be invalidated.

They're petitions, not ballots. It was said the corner of NW Expressway and Meridian got nearly 500 signatures in 3 hours last Sunday. Hopefully, more hot corners in OKC are being taken advantage of.


I drive by that corner all the time and I never see them there. I did see them there last year and off to the side was a OKCPD car sitting. I think that might have intimidated some people from stopping.

My wife and I signed the petitions at PRIDE yesterday evening. They seemed to be collecting signatures pretty steadily every time I passed them.

I wish they had some sort of counter on their website showing an estimate of how many signatures they have. I think some people think this is an easy get and I would hate for the final day to arrive and they are way short.
They're afraid of the psychological impact any number might have on volunteers still getting signatures. Green the vote regularly posted new totals for their petition from last quarter of last year, and doing that sure didn't help them get enough signatures. It was was always indicating signatures not coming in at a fast enough rate. So apparently a lot of volunteers gave up by the time it was half over.

I drive by that corner all the time and I never see them there. I did see them there last year and off to the side was a OKCPD car sitting. I think that might have intimidated some people from stopping.
In response to signatures not coming in fast enough, they recently set up a tent 24 hr. a day at NW Expressway & Meridian. You might say they got it occupied. That corner has been known to get 1500 to 3000 signatures during weekends from previous efforts. They're looking for other feasible hot OKC corners.

They still need volunteers. With a busy street corner and a big, bold hand held sign, along with a parking lot quite close by, a volunteer can possibly get 20 or more signatures an hour. Hopefully, they will have enough volunteers to get thousands of signatures from the 4th of July events.

If you want to volunteer, they can help you get started at their NW Expressway & Meridian tent, if nobody is at their Warr Acres office.

They're wanting volunteers to go petitioning today, 6/28, outside polling locations. It's legal to do it.

They're still not releasing exact updated totals, But word has it that while signatures are coming in fast enough for the required 66,000, they're not for the goal of 86,000 for padding. So no time for slacking.

In response to signatures not coming in fast enough, they recently set up a tent 24 hr. a day at NW Expressway & Meridian. You might say they got it occupied. That corner has been known to get 1500 to 3000 signatures during weekends from previous efforts. They're looking for other feasible hot OKC corners.

They still need volunteers. With a busy street corner and a big, bold hand held sign, along with a parking lot quite close by, a volunteer can possibly get 20 or more signatures an hour. Hopefully, they will have enough volunteers to get thousands of signatures from the 4th of July events.

If you want to volunteer, they can help you get started at their NW Expressway & Meridian tent, if nobody is at their Warr Acres office.

They're wanting volunteers to go petitioning today, 6/28, outside polling locations. It's legal to do it.

They're still not releasing exact updated totals, But word has it that while signatures are coming in fast enough for the required 66,000, they're not for the goal of 86,000 for padding. So no time for slacking.


It appears that they have set up camp at the NE corner of Meridian and NW Expressway. I have seen them there with several tents staked for at least a week now. Looks like they have been signing people up at a steady pace at that location. Even non registered voters can register there and sign.

It appears that they have set up camp at the NE corner of Meridian and NW Expressway. I have seen them there with several tents staked for at least a week now. Looks like they have been signing people up at a steady pace at that location. Even non registered voters can register there and sign.
As I understand it, Joe Dorman said signing after registering on site is okay, if registration form is left there. The key to getting enough signatures literally lays now in Oklahoma City's hands.

As I understand it, Joe Dorman said signing after registering on site is okay, if registration form is left there. The key to getting enough signatures literally lays now in Oklahoma City's hands.

I wonder how many sigs OKC has compared to Tulsa? And why does it rest in OKCs hands now? Did Tulsa stop taking sigs or something? I assume they are hot spots in Tulsa also and I would think they are getting as many if not more than OKC is.

The teachers association was taking sigs earlier in the year and a guy was at Oncue signing one after another. Wonder why the maryjane folks aren't doing that? I assume the teachers were at other places like Walmart parking lots and such as well.

I wonder how many sigs OKC has compared to Tulsa? And why does it rest in OKCs hands now? Did Tulsa stop taking sigs or something? I assume they are hot spots in Tulsa also and I would think they are getting as many if not more than OKC is.

The teachers association was taking sigs earlier in the year and a guy was at Oncue signing one after another. Wonder why the maryjane folks aren't doing that? I assume the teachers were at other places like Walmart parking lots and such as well.

The co-chairman of the group is from Tulsa, but has spent much time in recent weeks in OKC trying to get things better organized. Probably the most major thing that resulted was a truce with OKC police. Police will allow them to be camped at NW Expressway and N. Meridian 24 hours a day as long as they keep somebody at a table at all times taking signatures or registering people to vote. They're not getting paid, so there is some real hard core activism going on there.

Surely, the guy at Oncue was getting paid to take signatures along with the teachers for the penny sales tax for education. The deal was that if you netted so many signatures at $2 a signature, then you would get a raise to $5 a signature. Or was it $10 a signature for the top pay? If you get paid for such an easy job as taking signatures, it shouldn't be a surprise that plenty of people will come out of the woodwork to take advantage of it. It most certainly is easier and less sweaty work than mowing lawns. The med mj group doesn't seem to have the money to pay signature takers.

On the 16th, Saturday, they will put new emphasis on Tulsa for gathering more signatures. How much is done depends on how many volunteers are willing to come out that day. They finally began their Saturday road trips to some of the bigger small towns in Oklahoma. Their first stop was in Stillwater. In ten hours, they netted 265 signatures per petition and registered 65 new voters.

They estimate as of Saturday that they have 40,000 signatures. That's close to on track for 66,000 signatures, but not their goal of 86,000 to pad for thrown out signatures.

This effort, straight from the Oklahoma grass roots level, needs to succeed in getting on the ballot. If not, Oklahoma will have to wait for a corporate concern, likely from the mj industry, which has plenty of bucks to pay signature takers for a petition, which would inscribe in the Oklahoma State Constitution how the mj industry in Oklahoma is to be most profitably legalized and regulated. If Oklahoma voters would approve of such a proposition, is another matter to contend with.

Getting signatures on Saturday in Stillwater:

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13590259_630061013824974_290091278295119206_n.jpg? oh=6f27c33fd92aa78b30f2cc093d83f046&oe=57F9DE14

Thank for the updates Bunty!

I'm honestly surprised they only think they are at 40k. They seem to be at every major event & at tons of temporary locations.

Thank for the updates Bunty!

I'm honestly surprised they only think they are at 40k. They seem to be at every major event & at tons of temporary locations.

Maybe they got what they needed since the tents are now gone. I seen just a single stand out there today. Or maybe those folks that were set up in tents moved to another local? Could be they had about all the heat they could take also. But the tents are officially gone as of now.

Maybe they got what they needed since the tents are now gone. I seen just a single stand out there today. Or maybe those folks that were set up in tents moved to another local? Could be they had about all the heat they could take also. But the tents are officially gone as of now.

I saw the tent still being used this morning at NW Expressway and Meridian. I don't know if it's been moved since then.

http://m.newsok.com/article/5509869


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.”

Maybe they got what they needed since the tents are now gone. I seen just a single stand out there today. Or maybe those folks that were set up in tents moved to another local? Could be they had about all the heat they could take also. But the tents are officially gone as of now.

No, the city changed its mind and decided their tents could no longer be allowed there during curfew hours of the park. So, the struggle continues. The campaign is mainly driven by compassion for the sick, who need medical marijuana. The drama now being played out through August 11th is will there be enough compassion to make up for not having money to pay signature takers?

They finally found funding and will pay for signatures, if it leads to getting on the ballot. How their Facebook announcement reads:

"Do you want legal medical marijuana in Oklahoma, and want to gather signatures, but are busy with bills and work? We are now paying $1 per pair of signatures, for all signatures submitted notarized by the deadline on Aug 11th at 5:00pm at the Capitol as long as we make the ballot. It's looking good, but we still need to push hard this last three weeks and knock it out of the park.

You can be a part of that and get reimbursed for your hard work. Learn more here at okforhealth.org/paid, sign up for signature sheets at okforhealth.org/volunteer, print them at a copy shop with the link okforhealth.org/print-at-home or just sign the petition at okforhealth.org/map.

If you need to pick up sheets in person in OKC we operate a permanent booth at NW Expressway and Meridian 10am-11pm. Let's do this Oklahoma."

Is there a way to get an estimated amount of signature that have been gathered? I believe they will need 65,987 valid signatures by August 11th to get the question on the ballot.

They finally found funding and will pay for signatures, if it leads to getting on the ballot. How their Facebook announcement reads:

"Do you want legal medical marijuana in Oklahoma, and want to gather signatures, but are busy with bills and work? We are now paying $1 per pair of signatures, for all signatures submitted notarized by the deadline on Aug 11th at 5:00pm at the Capitol as long as we make the ballot. It's looking good, but we still need to push hard this last three weeks and knock it out of the park.

You can be a part of that and get reimbursed for your hard work. Learn more here at okforhealth.org/paid, sign up for signature sheets at okforhealth.org/volunteer, print them at a copy shop with the link okforhealth.org/print-at-home or just sign the petition at okforhealth.org/map.

If you need to pick up sheets in person in OKC we operate a permanent booth at NW Expressway and Meridian 10am-11pm. Let's do this Oklahoma."


If that funding would have been in place from the start they would have prob. had this wrapped up long ago.

Is there a way to get an estimated amount of signature that have been gathered? I believe they will need 65,987 valid signatures by August 11th to get the question on the ballot.
No, the group still won't release any figures. But I did hear from a lady, who is fairly close with the group and has been quite active getting signatures in OKC and for a couple of Saturdays in Stillwater, put it at 2/3 needed as of July 23rd. I know over 1200 signatures have been collected in Stillwater. Who knows how many more thousands and thousands have been collected in OKC and Tulsa?

On petitioner got arrested on the sidewalk outside the OKC VA today: http://www.reddirtreport.com/prairie-opinions/okc-medical-marijuana-petitioner-arrested-amid-weeks-harassment-intimidation

To update, he was just detained for awhile while they ticketed him with trespassing. Exercising your constitutional rights on government owned property to petition the government, to me, should not be judged as trespassing.

On petitioner got arrested on the sidewalk outside the OKC VA today: http://www.reddirtreport.com/prairie-opinions/okc-medical-marijuana-petitioner-arrested-amid-weeks-harassment-intimidation

To update, he was just detained for awhile while they ticketed him with trespassing. Exercising your constitutional rights on government owned property to petition the government, to me, should not be judged as trespassing.

Looks like they are doing what they can to slow down signature gatherings here in the final days. I remember this problem with the petition drive from two years ago. At some of the places they were collecting, a cop was just sitting in his car nearby. Not patrolling or protecting and serving, just sitting there with the hopes of intimidating some out of stopping to sign the petition.

Seems pretty foolish for OKCPD to even get close to overstepping their bounds when you could figure a lawsuit could come right behind it.

Looks like they are doing what they can to slow down signature gatherings here in the final days. I remember this problem with the petition drive from two years ago. At some of the places they were collecting, a cop was just sitting in his car nearby. Not patrolling or protecting and serving, just sitting there with the hopes of intimidating some out of stopping to sign the petition.

Seems pretty foolish for OKCPD to even get close to overstepping their bounds when you could figure a lawsuit could come right behind it.

Yes you are correct. Corner of NW Expressway and Meridian cop car sitting there and people would pull in and turn right around and pull out. I didn't see them this year as I drive by that location just about every day. I think this is the last week for the collectors and I drove by this morning and didn't see any one at that location.

Yes you are correct. Corner of NW Expressway and Meridian cop car sitting there and people would pull in and turn right around and pull out. I didn't see them this year as I drive by that location just about every day. I think this is the last week for the collectors and I drove by this morning and didn't see any one at that location.

That's the location where I signed the petition. I do recall a patrol car sitting there, but I didn't think it was related to the petition. It's really unfortunate if they are actively opposing by intimidation. I would hope that's a small percentage of the police officers doing it.

Hopefully, petitioners are stepping it up this weekend, because it's the last weekend and Joe Dorman said they're a few thousand short of signatures in KOCO video below. I've gotten 38 signatures, so far this weekend. Last chance to get in signatures will be Thursday, 1 to 5 pm, outside the state capitol.

http://www.koco.com/news/push-to-bring-medical-marijuana-intensifies-in-oklahoma/41068120?utm_source=Social&utm_medium=FBPAGE&utm_campaign=KOCO%205%20News&Content%20Type=Video