Taking Part in Government

Isaac Caviness

Haskell

(Nominated by Amy Hinton)

Article 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights recognizes that, "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."

In Oklahoma, where we live, the people have the right to participate directly in public policy-making by the initiative petition process. It is a time-honored right, enshrined in our state constitution.

Presently, a group called “Green the Vote” is circulating a petition for the legalization of medical marijuana in Oklahoma. They will be collecting signatures until the petition deadline on December 29, 2015.

This is the second time in as many years that a coalition of medical marijuana supporters has pushed the idea of legalizing the drug for patients with debilitating illnesses. The last attempt fell short of the required number by 60,000 signatures.

Isaac Caviness is leading the charge this time. He has lined up about 300 volunteers. They have set up scores of signature sites across the state. 

“This effort is by patients for patients," Caviness says. "People can’t deny the medical benefit of marijuana anymore.”

On December 10th, the Oklahoma Universal Human
Rights Alliance will honor human rights heroes from
around our great state. A recognition program will take
place at the State Capitol.For more information, see:
"Celebrate Human Rights."

From the Red Dirt Report: "Caviness referred to several Oklahoma families who are classified as medical refugees because they moved to Colorado so their children who suffer from severe cases of epilepsy could be treated with medical marijuana."

The petition needs 123,725 signatures in order for the new Article to the Oklahoma Constitution to be accepted. If this amount is reached, the cause will have a place on the 2016 ballot.

Amy Hinton writes:

"Isaac has been registering people to vote since May of this year. He has put forth a petition to legalize medical marijuana and industrial hemp. By doing that, he is fighting to open the door to natural medical alternatives for all, but most importantly, children with seizure disorders with little to no quality of life on pharmaceuticals."

In the News: 

"Grassroots organization wants Oklahomans to ‘green the vote,’ legalize medical marijuana"
KFOR.com, 8/21/2015
http://kfor.com/2015/08/21/grassroots-organization-wants-oklahomans-to-green-the-vote/

"Two grassroots groups work to change state medical marijuana laws"
The Oklahoma Gazette, 9/4/92015
http://okgazette.com/2015/09/04/cover-story-are-our-states-marijuana-laws-going-up-in-smoke/

"...Every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and... to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance." 
--From the Preamble to the
Universal Declaration of Human Rights