Trust Me! I'm a Lawyer (12-Point Plan | Part One)

The Oklahoma State Legislature release the House Republican advanced comprehensive medical marijuana policy package on March 7, 2022. The package includes a 12-point plan to stop illegal grows requiring the following:

1. Making the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) a standalone agency

2. A grant program for county sheriff’s departments to fund law enforcement efforts in every county (HB 3530)

3. Full implementation of a seed-to-sale system (either via court order or new legislation)

4. Provisional licensing requiring pre-license inspections and increased document submission prior to approval (HB 3734)

5. Tiered grow license fees based on grow size (HB 2179)

6. Separate licensing for medical marijuana wholesales (HB 3634)

7. All medical marijuana businesses to post standardized permit signage at the place of business (HB 2025)

8. Stringent electrical and water data reporting by marijuana growers (HB 4055)

9. Annual inspections (HB 2024)

10. Product packaging standards and maximum beyond use dates (HB 3019; HB 4288)

11. Standardized laboratory testing and equipment (HB 4056)

12. Marijuana grows to register as environmentally sensitive crop owners with the Agriculture Department (HB 3827)

The state has made significant progress on every single step of the 12-point plan. A brief update for the first 6 steps is provided here.

OMMA is now a standalone agency as of November 1, 2022 via SB 1543 (See December 2022 OMMA is on its Own Article for additional information) HB 3530 was passed and went into effect July 1, 2022, which directs OMMA to establish programs and provide funding to support county sheriff enforcement of medical marijuana laws and regulations. OMMA implemented the METRC seed to sale system for all licensed medical marijuana businesses as of May 26, 2022. HB 3734 was introduced in February of 2022 but ultimately died in the Spring. HB 2179 creates a tiered grow licenses feed based on grow size and will go into effect on June 1, 2023. “Creates a tiered commercial grower fee structure based on size and type of facility — annual fees would range from the current $2,500 to more than $50,000. Under the terms of the bill, processor license fees will be determined by volume and range from $2,500 to $40,000. Dispensaries will pay $2,500 to $10,000, based on annual sales. Testing laboratories will pay a flat $20,000.”

HB 3634 creates a “Medical Marijuana Wholesaler” license to replace commercial transporter and would have been effective as of November 1, 2022 but the bill died April 14, 2022 when the enacting clause was stricken.