Oklahoma State Policy Alert

Sent: March 21, 2013
From: Kate Zawidzki
Topic: State Marijuana Laws

Title: 

Oklahoma: Urge your representative to support bill to defelonize marijuana possession offenses

Message: 

Oklahoma has some of the harshest penalties for marijuana possession in the nation. A second offense for possession of any amount of marijuana is a felony punishable by a mandatory minimum of two years imprisonment and a maximum of 10. Fortunately, legislation awaiting action on the House floor would introduce a dose of sanity. HB 1835, sponsored by Rep. Cory Williams (D-34), would make first and second offense possession of marijuana a misdemeanor. Subsequent offenses would remain a felony, but the possible jail time would be reduced to a maximum of five years.

Please ask your representative to support this sensible reform!

Although this change is modest, it is still a significant improvement over the status quo. It’s a change that makes both common sense and fiscal sense. It would mean fewer adults would be jailed simply for choosing to use a substance less harmful than alcohol. It would also free up prison space for people who commit serious and violent crimes.

Please show your support for this bill by urging your representative to vote yes on HB 1835. After you’ve done that, ask your friends and family to do the same.