Even though she's kind of weird, State Senator Constance Johnson has quickly become my favorite Oklahoma lawmaker. Last year she introduced a series of satirical amendments that were intended to show the hypocrisy of men who backed the personhood movement. One amendment prohibited depositing semen in places that are not a woman's vagina, another banned vasectomies, and a third forced convicted rapists to get vasectomies and financially provide for their offspring. None of the amendments passed, but they all successfully made a point.
Anyway, this time around Senator Johnson has introduced a bill that both liberals and those "Get the gub'ment out of my private life" conservatives can rally behind. She wants to allow medical marijuana in Oklahoma!
From KMRG:
A pair of marijuana bills have been filed in the Oklahoma Senate.
Senate Bill 902 directs the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to develop rules for use of medical cannabis. It was filed by Senator Constance Johnson, a Democrat who represents the Oklahoma City area.
Right now, nearly 20 states allow some form of medical marijuana.
Senate Bill 914, also filed by Sen. Johnson, would reduce penalties for possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Right now, the maximum penalty for possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana is up to one year in jail and a fine of $1,000. If S.B. 914 passes, those penalties would be reduced to a maximum of 10 days in jail and a fine of $200.
We applaud Ms. Johnson for filing these bills. There are numerous health- and socioeconomic-related benefits to medical marijuana, but this thing has no chance. Seriously, when's the last time logical and reasonable legislation made its way through the capitol? Our lawmakers only pass nonsensical legislation that limits abortions, expands gun rights, and protects special interests. If a bill actually makes sense and is a good thing, it's screwed from the start.
To get this medical marijuana legislation passed, we need to make it much more draconian. For example, someone should attach an amendment mandating that for every dollar spent on medical marijuana, the state will reduce funding for the arts and public education. I'm sure a lot of lawmakers would go for that. Perhaps we should also require that any woman seeking a medical marijuana prescription be forced to submit to a trans-vaginal ultra-sound. And best of all, lets sanction that all medical marijuana users be Christians, own an arsenal of semi-automatic weapons, and be required to join a militia. For fun, we'll also make a dubious medical claim that medical marijuana "cures" homosexuality. If those things were added, this bill would pass in a heartbeat.
Anyway, I linked to it above, but here are my 10 Reasons Why Medical Marijuana Should be Legal in Oklahoma. I think it's pretty good, but I don't remember writing the thing. My glaucoma and anxiety were flaring up and, well, never mind.
