Oklahoma prepares for possibility of voters approving medical marijuana
OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomans wont vote until next year on whether to legalize medical marijuana, but a state lawmaker has already introduced legislation that would set the framework if sales of the drug are approved.
State Rep. Eric Proctor of Tulsa has introduced a measure thats nearly an exact replica of whats being considered in neighboring Arkansas, where medical marijuana was legalized by voters last November.
The bill mirrors Arkansas proposed plan, calling for a maximum $7,500 fee to apply to run a dispensary and a maximum $15,000 fee to apply for a marijuana cultivation license. It also calls for the creation of a medical marijuana commission, as in Arkansas.
Its modeled after the laws in Arkansas, Proctor said. It was done intentionally so we can see what (Arkansas) has done right and wrong.
The bill would task the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement Commission with adopting rules governing oversight, record-keeping, security and other regulations over the drug, if voters choose to legalize it. The commissions director, A. Keith Burt, said his department is already stretched thin as new alcohol measures are implemented. He said he will request funding for six new agents this year, but that will be tricky given Oklahomas $870 million budget shortfall.
Were kind ...
