After winning overwhelming bipartisan approval from the Oklahoma legislature last week, HB 3228 was vetoed by the governor yesterday. And though marijuana policy reform advocates made a last-second push to urge legislators to override Gov. Stitt’s veto, lawmakers adjourned the legislative session without taking action on the bill.
The legislation would have allowed out-of-state medical marijuana patients to obtain a renewable three-month temporary license and permit dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana to registered patients who live within a 10-mile radius. It also would have eased penalties and removed jail time for first-time offenses for individuals found in possession of marijuana without a medical marijuana license.
This is certainly a disappointment, but there will be many more fights ahead. Our movement to replace harmful marijuana laws with sensible alternatives continues to gain steam, and it's only a matter of time before we make even greater progress in Oklahoma.