Medical Marijuana Supporters Set Up Tent in Sallisaw

A Sallisaw family is supporting the use of medical marijuana and calling on those who support the proposition to sign the petition that will get the question on the ballot next year.

James (top left) and Patricia Freeman and their son, Charles Condre (top right), have set up a tent in their front yard at 603 S. Kerr Blvd. in Sallisaw to enlighten voters about the use of medical marijuana, register voters and have voters sign the petition calling for a vote on the question in 2016. They are with the group Green the Vote, which can be found on the Internet and is based in Tulsa.

James Freeman said he already has about 45 signatures calling for the petition, and supporters were stopping as soon as he and Charles had the tent set up Wednesday morning. The tent was also drawing a lot of stares from those passing by on the busy Kerr Boulevard.

James Freeman said he suffers from PTSD and Charles said he has epilepsy. One of the most effective treatments for  both conditions is medical marijuana, they said. James said research has shown medical marijuana is also good for glaucoma, pain control, fibromyalgia, Alzheimer's, and other medical problems.

To get the proposal on the ballot, Freeman said, the petition must be signed by 125,000 registered voters and submitted to the state by the end of December.

Freeman said if voters approve the proposal, the marijuana would be available in several different forms for medical uses and would have to be prescribed by a doctor. A 7 percent tax is proposed on medical marijuana sales, which would be split between the state and local communities.

Freeman said he has not heard too much from those who oppose the proposition, although he did find a card one morning in his driveway that recommended rehabilitation from illegal drugs. He pointed out that many illegal drugs are available as legal drugs for medical purposes.

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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