Oklahoma voters approve medical marijuana

Voters in Oklahoma on Tuesday approved a measure that will legalize the use, sale and growth of medical marijuana.

With 56.8% of voters supporting medical marijuana, Oklahoma is now the 30th state to permit its use.

According to the ballot measure, a license will be required for use and possession of marijuana for medicinal purposes and must be approved by an Oklahoma board-certified physician, and the State Department of Health will issue medical marijuana licenses if the applicant is 18 years and an Oklahoma resident. The measure permits younger applicants to use medical marijuana with the endorsement of two physicians and a parent or legal guardian.

The department will also issue seller, grower, packaging, transportation, research and caregiver licenses. Individual and retail businesses must meet minimum requirements to be licensed to sell marijuana to licensees, according to the measure.

The punishment for unlicensed possession of permitted amounts of marijuana for individuals who can state a medical condition is a fine not exceeding $400. Fees and zoning restrictions are established. A 7% state tax is imposed on medical marijuana sales, according to the measure.