OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - An Oklahoma Senate committee has defeated a proposal to legalize the medical use of marijuana.

Members of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee voted 5-2 against the measure on Monday.

Democratic Sen. Constance Johnson of Oklahoma City says she considers it a victory that the bill was granted a hearing, since similar measures she's introduced over the last six years haven't been heard in committee.

Tulsa Republican Sen. Brian Crain chairs the panel and says that while he personally opposes the idea, he agreed to hear the bill because of Johnson's persistence.

The bill would have allowed a qualified patient or designated caregiver to possess up to 8 ounces of dried marijuana and 12 plants.