Medical marijuana closer to, and possibly for, Oklahoma

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The movement to legalize recreational marijuana in the United States scores its biggest wins yet. California, Massachusetts, and Nevada voted to approve recreational use of cannabis. Arkansas, Florida and North Dakota approved medical marijuana.

Medical marijuana was close to getting on the ballot in Oklahoma this year as well, but a few legal roadblocks kept it off. But it’s passing in neighboring Arkansas has Sooner advocates getting more hopeful.

It's not exactly a tale as old as time. But it's been around a while.

"[The passage in Arkansas] definitely validated what we've been feeling," says Frank Grove with Oklahomans for Health, a leading medical marijuana advocate group in the state.

Grove felt a surge in his step Tuesday night. Arkansas is awfully close to Oklahoma, not just geographically, but demographically and ideologically as well.

“This is the issue of our time,” says Grove. “And that it, regardless of where this is on the coast or it's flyover country it's time for medical marijuana at the very least."

Grove's mission is personal, though not just for himself.

"My father has brain cancer and he can't wait two years,” he says. “He needs access yesterday."

But it was kept off this year's ballot, pushing a vote back at least two years. Unless, of course, there is a special election for another cause.

"But in the case that a state position opens up, like for instance, state superintendent,” says Grove. “There could be cause for a special election beyond SQ-788."

If it passes, the change could come fast.

"If we could get a special election in 2017,” says Grove. “It would be available by mid-next year for patients in Oklahoma."

It’s a sliver of hope for some, like Grove, who believe this change would be for good.

If there is no special election in 2017, SQ 788 could be on the ballot in November of 2018.