A petition to legalize medical marijuana was filed on Aug. 21 to the Office of the Oklahoma Secretary of State by an organization called Green the Vote Oklahoma.
Ashley Lewelling, a board member of Green the Vote Oklahoma, said the group wants to advocate for Oklahoma patients who need the benefits of medical marijuana.
The petition, written by Lewelling’s husband, Joshua Lewelling, already hashes out some details of the possible law, Lewelling said. A recommendation from a physician is required, and afterward, a request for a medical marijuana card will be sent to the Oklahoma Department of Health, which will either approve or deny the request. If the request is approved, applicants will either receive a one-year card, five-year card or lifelong card, all of which will cost a $100 licensing fee, Lewelling said.
In order for the question to appear on the 2016 general election ballot, the petition will need 123,725 signatures, which the group hopes to begin gathering on Oct. 1, Lewelling said. After that, they have 90 days to get enough signatures or the petition will fail.
“We’re going to need a lot of volunteers to help go out and get signatures and a lot of friendly businesses that will let us set up,” Lewelling said.
The petition has yet to receive approval from the Oklahoma Secretary of State’s office, and citizens have until Sept. 11 to appeal it on the grounds of unconstitutionality.
