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A ballot proposal to make possession of small amounts of drugs in Oklahoma a misdemeanor punishable by no more than a year in jail would make Oklahoma's drug laws among the most liberal in the country, according to a state lawmaker who has requested an interim study on the plan.State Rep. Scott Biggs, an ex-prosecutor with a tough-on-crime reputation, disputes the idea that Oklahoma's drug laws are too harsh. He requested an interim study to compare Oklahoma's drug laws to those in other states."There are two state questions on the ballot to make our drug laws more liberal than California's, which I think is a horrible idea," said Biggs, R-Chickasha. "This interim study is just going to point out that the sky is not falling like many claim, and that Oklahoma's drug laws are not out of line with those in other states."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. Interim studies are assigned to standing committees, and give members an opportunity to study an issue and discuss possible bills ahead of the legislative session. Among the topics this year are an analysis of state laws relating to abortion, the growing use of fees and fines to fund state government and the teaching of cursive writing to elementary school students."Interim studies give you more time to delve into issues that you just don't have in a four-month session," Hickman said. "It allows more citizen involvement and input and allows people to come and testify about concerns they may have."The studies will begin in August and continue through November. The legislative session begins Feb. 6.Biggs' study resulted from a successful signature gathering effort by an advocacy group looking to slow the growth of Oklahoma's prison population by reducing the penalties for drug possession and crimes involving property worth less than $1,000. A separate proposal would require the state to estimate the resulting cost savings and direct that money toward crime-prevention efforts.Former Republican House Speaker Kris Steele, who now heads a nonprofit that helps ex-prisoners reintegrate into society, was among those who helped lead the effort."In Oklahoma, we simply incarcerate too many offenders," Steele said. "In Oklahoma, even a first-time possession can be a felony conviction. It acts like a scarlet letter for the rest of these people's lives."Steele said other states that implemented similar reforms have seen declines in prison populations and reduced crime rates.But prosecutors have voiced concerns about the proposal to make drug possession a misdemeanor and dispute the idea that prisons are filled with low-level drug users."The primary concern to me is making possession of meth, heroin and cocaine a misdemeanor forever, whether it's your first time or your 20th," said Mike Boring, district attorney over four counties in northwest Oklahoma. "That is unacceptable."