Oklahoma’s Medical Cannabis Bill Introduces New Requirements, Now in Effect

Oklahoma’s stance on medical cannabis recently revealed, with new requirements for both patients and business owners reports news outlet, 6 KPVI. Also referred to as the Unity Bill and the House Bill (HB) 2612, which was led by Majority Floor Leader, Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City) and Senator, Greg McCortney (R-Ada), HB 2612 has granted the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) with “rule-making power”.

According to OKPolicy.org, “cornerstone of [the Unity Bill] is the creation of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) under the Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) to regulate the medical marijuana program, including the authority to investigate alleged violations of the law and administer penalties. It also establishes the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Revolving Fund for fines and fees collected by the OMMA. Other changes include:”

What the New Requirements Means for Patients and Doctors…

As for HB 2612, according to Current Compliance, “The law adds new sections to Oklahoma’s existing medical marijuana regulations, as well as dipping into workplace drug testing laws to add small but significant amendments. All told, HB 2612 changes how employers, employees, and applicants interact with one another when it comes to medical marijuana.”

Doctors are not allowed to approve patient recommendations given that they are partaking in the dispensary business among others. However, they can request OMMA to end a patient’s license given any reasonable argument made.

Leader of the Oklahoma Cannabis Liberty Alliance, Lawrence Pasternack shared with the Wagner County American Tribune that dismissing doctor approval is unfair, stressing that,

“There are a lot of pain management patients who are using [cannabis] behind their doctor’s back, and if they get caught, they could get terminated.”

Business Owners Require Certificate of Compliance

Further, OMMA Business owners are now required to submit a document that indicates that their goods meet the required specifications, i.e. Certificate of Compliance.

In addition, they are asked to apply, “seed-to-sale tracking,” which has been done to limit any possible illegal products from surfacing. Other changes include packaging and labeling requests, along with the finest details about toxins-testing, potency and age appropriateness.

OMMA will have 90 business days to review and renew business requests, with patients’ application results given within 14 business days.

Although Oklahoma may have a medical marijuana program, marijuana is illegal under federal law and is a Schedule I substance.

All information is for general informational and educational purposes only. Nothing should be interpreted as legal or wellness advice.