Hundreds of people rallied at the state Capitol on Wednesday to ask the Legislature to rethink how Oklahoma regulates marijuana for both medicinal and recreational purposes.

Supporters gathered for speeches in front of the Capitol, piled into conference rooms and packed the Senate gallery, voicing concerns over what many called the over-criminalization of the drug and the necessity for its use as a medicine.

Ron Ferrell, 63, of Oklahoma City, was among those who were actively lobbying their lawmakers on the issue. Ferrell said, regardless of Oklahoma's reputation as being behind the times socially, he feels the momentum of the medical marijuana movement will eventually take hold in the state.

“It's a snowball effect that's almost unstoppable at this point,” Ferrell said. “People are fed up with these ridiculous laws, and they want to be able to have access to the health benefits of medical marijuana.”