Pro-marijuana group wants option to toke in Okla.

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Emboldened by the legalization of marijuana in two states, pro-marijuana groups will converge on the Oklahoma Capitol and call for fewer restrictions on pot smoking in Oklahoma.

Several pro-marijuana groups have events scheduled at the Capitol on Wednesday and are encouraging like-minded Oklahoma residents to attend. Some of the groups favor the use of medical marijuana, while others are pushing for outright legalization of the drug.

Democratic state Sen. Connie Johnson of Oklahoma City has introduced bills to ease restrictions on marijuana since her election in 2004, but the measures have rarely even been granted a hearing.

Oklahoma has some of the strictest drug laws in the country. A second offense of simply possessing marijuana is a felony crime punishable by prison time.