Amid concerns with Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority meeting the Legislature’s directive to hire more compliance inspectors, the agency’s new director agreed further regulations are still “absolutely” needed for the expanding industry.
During an interim study to address the relationship of medical cannabis businesses to others in the agriculture industry, OMMA leaders reported progress of “about 40%” to having businesses undergo a full inspection this year.
Asked by Rep. Dick Lowe, R-Amber, whether there should be a “temporary moratorium” on issuing new grow licenses “until we can get a handle” on staffing needs, illegal activity and agricultural impacts, new OMMA Director Adria Berry didn’t fully nix the idea. State law does not limit the number of commercial licenses the OMMA and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics can approve, but a business must have proper licensing from both before it can open.
“As the director of OMMA, I do have to tread cautiously on this because that really is a policy question,” Berry said. “But, you know, when 788 was passed and voted in by the people of Oklahoma, there was no cap.” OMMA records indicate there are more than 12,500 business licenses in the state as of Sept. 3, a nearly 35% jump from the number reported in August 2020. Growers make up more than two-thirds of the licensed businesses. [Read More @ Tulsa World]
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