Drug Policy Reform Newsletter
Fall 2013
Contents: 1. "Oklahoma Marijuana Medicine" (Our Oklahoma marijuana documentary) -Interviews and discussion of Oklahoma marijuana politics 2. Marijuana Interview Questions 3. Allies and Adversaries (Which Oklahoma officials are with us and against us?) 4. OKC Fall Peace Fest (Volunteer at our booth) 5. List of Important Websites 6. Contact Us 7. Membership/Contribution Form
1. Oklahoma Marijuana Medicine In 2004, we started the Oklahoma Compassionate Care Campaign for medical marijuana (www.okmedicalmarijuana.org) Since then, many brave Oklahomans have endorsed the campaign and some have offered to get more involved. Well, that time has finally arrived and we are going to start filming interviews for our documentary "Oklahoma Marijuana Medicine." We will be focusing on Oklahomans with legitimate medical issues, medical professionals and, of course, politicians. The documentary (full length and segments) will be distributed as widely as possible around the Internet and other media. We will have a special focus on accessing free public service time around the state and border areas. Oklahomans need to know that there are people all around them who want the law to change. Please contact us if you want to participate in this project (i.e. research, be interviewed, and/or organizing showings). "The marijuana laws are based on prejudice, greed and fairy tales. In Reality, the laws are the real problem." Jeff Pickens, President, DPRNOK
2. Marijuana Interview Questions These are the questions potential medical marijuana patients will be asked for our documentary on the Oklahoma medical marijuana movement:
What do you think the law should be exactly? What is your medical condition? Does this condition cause discomfort? How? What medications do you take? Why do you want medical marijuana? Have you ever told your doctor how you feel about marijuana? What does your family think of your support for medical marijuana? Have you been treated unfairly because of your opinion of marijuana? How? Have you had any good experiences related to marijuana? How? Have you had any negative experiences related to the marijuana laws? How? Why do you think Oklahoma has been so resistant to marijuana reform? What do you think would help change the law in Oklahoma? What would you like Oklahomans to do to help?
3. Allies and Adversaries Several individuals are listed below who are playing a strong role in the growing debate over marijuana laws in Oklahoma. It is crucial that we work effectively with our allies to build a coalition within the government. It is also time to study our opponents and develop techniques to change their opinions. If they won’t change, then we must be prepared to discredit their position on drug policy. This is a conflict and we will have to deal with these people.
Allies of Marijuana Reform:
Rep. Cory Williams
Sen. Constance Johnson
Representative Cory Williams (Stillwater) introduced House Bill 1835 during the 2012 session. HB1835 would make second time marijuana possession a misdemeanor!
To view the actual wording (text) of the bill go to this link http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/cf_pdf/201314%20int/HB/HB1835%20int.pdf Passage of HB1835 would be a huge step for marijuana reform in Oklahoma. The current felony for second time marijuana possession is the main Oklahoma policy causing fines and jail time for marijuana use. HB1835 passed in the House Public Safety Committee 14-0! In other words, members of all parties supported it! Despite such strong committee support, this bill was not presented to the full House.
In 2012, Senator Constance Johnson (District 48, OKC) introduced two medical marijuana bills and one bill to reduce penalties for first time marijuana possession: SB710 - allowing medical marijuana in Oklahoma SB902 - establishing rules for medical marijuana in Oklahoma SB914 - reducing penalties for first time marijuana possession (one year possible prison term reduced to only ten days maximum!) She also requested a Senate Interim Study to allow for an official review of medical marijuana and potential legislation. The Senate bills did not pass and the Interim Study was not approved. However, one of her med. marijuana bills did receive a hearing in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, which is more progress than previous sessions. Senator Johnson has submitted medical marijuana legislation in four consecutive sessions of the Oklahoma Senate. She is clearly our strongest supporter in the Oklahoma government. We must continue to support her efforts to move marijuana reform forward this next session.
Adversaries of Marijuana Reform:
Rep. T.W. Shannon
Sen. Brian Crain
Governor Mary Fallin
Many Oklahoma elected officials obviously oppose marijuana reform, but these three are extra hateful. T.W. Shannon is the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. He has the authority to move legislation forward out of committee to the full House membership. Last session he had the chance to do just that when Rep. Cory Williams introduced HB1835 . HB 1835 would make second time marijuana possession a misdemeanor instead of a felony. HB1835 passed in the House Public Safety Committee 14-0! T.W. Shannon, Speaker of the House, refused to allow the bill to be heard on the floor of the House. In other words, Rep. Shannon completely refused to let a bill move forward that every member of the committee supported. Obviously, Rep. Shannon is an extremist and must be publicly confronted about his obstructionism. Next, Senator Brian Crain, Chair of the Oklahoma Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Senator Constance Johnson is a member of the Health and Human Services Committee too. For several legislative sessions she has introduced medical marijuana to this committee. Senator Crain refused to allow Senator Johnson’s bill a hearing for several sessions. Last year he finally yielded, but gave an extremely short period for public notice. We were only given about a week to organize. The damage had already been done. On such short notice, it was too difficult for supporters to bring in experts from medical marijuana states to testify. The bill was defeated and died in committee. This short notice hearing was obviously a tactic to give a false impression about the amount of public support for medical marijuana in Oklahoma. The lack of any Oklahoma doctors stepping forward on short notice is really no surprise. Most Oklahoma doctors aren’t willing to risk association with an illegal substance. Besides, most Oklahoma doctors haven’t had a chance to examine a patient who has legal access to medical marijuana. Only doctors from medical marijuana states have credibility in this area. After medical marijuana is legalized we will get a better idea which Oklahoma doctors support its use. Finally, we come to our Governor, (Scary) Mary Fallin. No modern Oklahoma politician has discriminated more against marijuana users. Governor Fallin has signed two of the most brutal marijuana bills in history. In 2011, House Bill 1798, gives up to life in prison for “making hash!” The most recent (House Bill 1441 ) can result in a DUI for drivers who test positive for any amount of marijuana! Life in prison for making hash?! Hash is simply the resin (oil) from marijuana plants. Hash has less of the leafy material and more of the desired substances. It requires less smoke to be inhaled to attain the effects. This concentrated resin is actually better for consumers. The most promising medical marijuana research uses hash oil (a.k.a. hemp or Cannabis oil) to treat cancer. Isn’t it ironic that Mary Fallin is willing to end someone’s life (life sentence) for something that may actually save the lives of millions? Then there is a possible DUI for testing positive for any amount of marijuana?! Give me a break. This law is completely evil. A person can get up the day after getting blackout drunk and drive a car legally. They may be throwing up and even doze off at the wheel, but that is completely legal. Now, a person smokes pot at a concert and two days later gets a DUI for it?
What a bunch of crap! This is a contest folks and it’s time for us to play to win. If government officials won’t support reform, then we must start to damage them politically. This will mean aggressively researching their past and present activities. We must expose any questionable motivations they may have for supporting prohibition. It is important to start chipping away at their credibility and popularity. It is their turn to feel insecure and be less confident against our movement. We have the momentum; we just need to push harder.
4. Fall Peace Festival The Drug Reform Network of Oklahoma will have a booth at the Fall Peace Festival, Sat. Nov. 9, Civic Center Hall of Mirrors, 201 N. Walker, Oklahoma City, 10 am to 4 pm. If you haven’t attended this event before, you are missing out! There are all sorts of progressive, peaceful activities and organizations involved. From drug policy reform to belly dancing, this event is truly peaceful. Please check out the Peace Fest details at http://peacehouseok.org We will be offering free drug policy literature, signing up new members, recruiting support for the medical marijuana campaign and offering hemp items to raise money for our mission of drug policy reform. If you can spare a few hours, or even fifteen minutes to sit at our booth, it would be a great contribution. One of our organizers will always be present to make sure things run smoothly. Community events are a great place to inform the public and have a great time! There is strength in numbers, so come on and give us a hand. To learn more about our organization www.okmedicalmarijuana.org To volunteer for the booth contact (405) 762-0882 or Howzkeepa@yahoo.com
5. List of Important Website The Drug Policy Alliance: www.drugpolicy.org Drugsense: http://www.drugsense.org Drug War Chronicle: www.stopthedrugwar.org NORML: www.norml.org Marijuana Policy Project: www.mpp.org Drug War Facts: drugwarfacts.org Narco News: http://www.narconews.com Drug Policy Forum of Texas: dpft.org November Coalition: http://www.november.org/ Drug Truth Network: DrugTruth.net The Alchemind Society: http://www.alchemind.org/ Law Enforcement Against Prohibition: http://www.leap.cc/
6. Contact Us Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma P.O. Box 10641 Midwest City, OK 73140 405-762-0882 www.okmedicalmarijuana.org
7. Membership/Contribution Form One of the best ways to support our mission of drug policy reform is to become a contributing member. Go to our online membership/contribution form at www.OKmedicalmarijuana.org If you want to mail your payment: Highlight the form below and choose the "print selection" option on your print menu. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mail in form: Please complete the requested information and mail with membership fee and/or contribution Please remember to check the appropriate line(s) below. We accept check, money order or cash. (payments can also be made using PayPal and credit cards from our website) Please take steps to conceal any cash sent. Name __________________________________________ Address________________________________________ City____________________ St.________________ Zip ______________ Phone ____________________ E-mail _______________________________ #_____ full membership ($10) I wish to make an additional contribution of: $10 ___ $20 ___ $50 ___ other _____ I am paying by: check ___ money-order ___ cash ___ (payments can also be made using PayPal from our website) Total enclosed $_________________ Make checks or money orders payable to: Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma Mail to: Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma, P.O. Box 10641, Midwest City, OK 73140 * The Drug Policy Reform Network of Oklahoma (DPRNOK) is a 501-C-4 nonprofit organization. * Donations to 501-C-4 nonprofit organizations are not Tax Deductible.