OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Emboldened by the legalization of marijuana in two states, hundreds of marijuana advocates held a rally at the Oklahoma Capitol to call for fewer restrictions on pot smoking in Oklahoma.
Two separate pro-marijuana groups held events at the Capitol on Wednesday. One is supporting the use of medicinal marijuana, while the other is pushing for full-scale legalization of cannabis.
Democratic state Senator Connie Johnson of Oklahoma City has introduced several bills to ease restrictions on marijuana since her election in 2004, but the measures have rarely even been granted a hearing.
Wednesday's rallies were packed with marijuana supporters who applauded Johnson's arrival in the chamber.
Oklahoma has some of the strictest drug laws in the country. A second offense for marijuana possession is a felony punishable by prison time.