Rep. Tom Gann’s latest legislative move intends to tighten the screws on marijuana trafficking in Oklahoma. Introduced as House Bill 1163, the measure sailed through the House on Wednesday, marking a significant shift in how the state might handle marijuana-related offenses if it becomes law. According to a report by The Oklahoma House of Representatives, the bill proposes to recalibrate the legal threshold for what constitutes aggravated trafficking of marijuana from 1,000 pounds to just 25 pounds.
The impact of such a change means the stakes are considerably higher for individuals found with quantities above the new limit. As the law currently stands, offenders face hefty fines that can range anywhere from $100,000 to $500,000. Gann, in a statement sourced by The Oklahoma House of Representatives, argues that such legislation is crucial “to prevent the illegal trade of marijuana inside the state of Oklahoma.” It appears to be a direct response to concerns voiced by an assistant district attorney from Rogers, Mays, and Craig counties who indicated that the ease of marijuana trafficking in Oklahoma needs to be staunchly addressed.
In addition to setting a new threshold for trafficking, House Bill 1163 aims to plug another gap that has been exploited by those caught with marijuana in their system. By requiring individuals to provide a medical marijuana card at the exact time of being stopped by law enforcement, the bill seeks to eliminate the possibility of obtaining a license after the fact to avoid conviction. “What’s happening, is people who are arrested for that, they buy a license between the time they are ticketed and before they get to court,” Gann told The Oklahoma House of Representatives. “This would stop that.”
The proposal received a clear nod in the House with a 66 to 17 vote, and now it advances to the Oklahoma Senate, escorted by Sen. Shane Jett. For many observers and lawmakers, the bill represents an assertive measure to rein in an issue that has seen Oklahoma dubbed a “high-trafficking state.” Whether it will receive the Senate’s endorsement and become a deterrent to marijuana trafficking as Gann hopes remains to be seen. But what’s certain is the conversation around marijuana use and its legal boundaries continues to evolve in the Sooner State.
H/T: hoodline.com
