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September 30, 2016OKLAHOMA CITY – At the close of the ten-day protest period on Thursday, there were no challenges seeking to invalidate any signatures collected by Oklahomans for Health in their effort to place Medical Marijuana on a ballot for Oklahoma voters.  In response to the news that the final hurdle for the certification of signatures has been successfully cleared, meaning the question will appear on a ballot in the near future, the ACLU of Oklahoma and Oklahomans for Health released the following statements:Please attribute to Ryan Kiesel, Executive Director, ACLU of Oklahoma: “The more than 67,000 Oklahomans who signed the petition for medical marijuana will have their voices heard. The historic success of this grassroots effort led by Oklahomans for Health is a testament to the overwhelming support for medical marijuana. As a result, Oklahomans will have an opportunity to cast their ballot in favor of a modern, medically proven, and evidence based drug law, moving the State one step closer to sensible drug policy. In the meantime, we will continue our challenge to the Attorney General’s politicized and misleading re-write of the ballot title while working to ensure Oklahoma voters are able to decide this question as soon as possible.” Please attribute to Chip Paul, Co-Chair, Oklahomans for Health:“Oklahomans for health is excited that medical marijuana is one step closer to a vote of the people. This successful grassroots effort is a demonstration of how meaningful policy can be approached in a democratic society. We look forward to bringing this policy to a vote of the people in the very near future.”

By requesting a formal hearing, the ACLU of Oklahoma and its client aim to present these arguments in detail and seek a reversal of the Tax Commission’s decision to deny Mr. Luttrell’s request. The Tax Commission must honor the tenets of free speech codified in the Oklahoma and United States Constitutions and allow Mr. Luttrell the opportunity to freely and fully express himself just like any other Oklahoman.
A copy of the ACLU’s Request for Hearing is attached here.

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