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OKLAHOMA CITY – A state senator has filed bills to establish a medical marijuana program and reduce the penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana in Oklahoma. 

Sen. Constance Johnson filed Senate Bill 902 that would direct the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision to develop and adopt rules that allow individuals with debilitating medical conditions to use marijuana with approval from their physicians and to establish fees for the “licensing, production, distribution, and consumption” of marijuana for medical purposes.

The other, Senate Bill 914, would reduce the maximum penalty for possession of up to 1.5 ounces of marijuana from a maximum of one year in jail and a fine of $1,000 to a maximum of 10 days in jail and a fine of $200.

Eighteen states and the District of Columbia allow patients with qualifying conditions to use medical marijuana with recommendations from their physicians.

At least 10 more states are expected to consider similar legislation this year, and such bills have already been brought forward in Alabama, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, New Hampshire and New York.