A state lawmaker concerned about a ballot proposal to make possession of small amounts of drugs in Oklahoma a misdemeanor punishable by no more than a year in jail has requested an interim study on drug laws.
Former prosecutor Rep. Scott Biggs disputes the idea that Oklahoma's drug laws are too harsh and has requested an interim study to compare Oklahoma's drug laws to those in other states.
The ballot proposal was pushed by an advocacy group looking to slow the growth of Oklahoma's prison population.
More than 70 separate interim studies requested by individual House members have been approved by House Speaker Jeff Hickman, although several on similar topics were combined into one hearing.
The studies will be held from August through November. The legislative session begins Feb. 6.