There hasn’t been a lot of discussion we’ve heard of on legislation signed back in May and that is about to go into effect Monday, Aug. 1.
House Bill 3208 was signed nearly three months ago by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
Come Monday, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority will stop processing applications for new grower, dispensary and processor licenses for up to a period of two years.
This doesn’t impact current licenses and those operating now within compliance of the rules. They will continue to have the ability to renew their licenses when it’s time.
OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry has pointed out that new license applications will be accepted by OMMA through 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 1.
The moratorium on new applications will continue until Aug. 1, 2024 or earlier if the Executive Director determines all pending license reviews, inspections or investigations are complete.
She’s indicated the OMMA will implement the legislation and duties that have been entrusted to her agency.
Since voters made obtaining medical marijuana legal, the industry has exploded. It’s overwhelmed some state agencies who have been responsible for enforcing the laws governing these facilities.
Recent investigations by law enforcement at various levels, that have led to arrests and felony charges of those skirting the rules and laws and not abiding by them, has shown how overwhelming it can be.
Several of these have occurred in Lincoln and Pottawatomie Counties and in other areas of the state. There are several of these cases pending in Lincoln County District Court.
We are curious to see how the moratorium impacts the ability of agencies saddled with the responsibility of enforcing the laws to keep up.
Those facilities that are in compliance should have no problem. However, it would for those not abiding by the rules and laws and they could lose their licenses and not get them back for some time if ever.
Berry has pointed out that any application for a grower, dispensary or processor application that is denied after Aug. 1, that applicant or licensees who surrender their license after Monday won’t be able to apply again until after the moratorium ends.
Most applicants for new and renewed grower, dispensary and processor licenses may still resubmit a corrected license application once if the initial application is rejected after Aug. 1.
Any grower, dispensary or processor licensee who allows the license to expire after Aug. 1 without submitting a renewal application will not be able to apply for a renewed or new license during the moratorium.
What we hope is that during this moratorium, the OMMA is able to get a better handle on what is taking place in the industry and that it assists law enforcement to keep up with those who are intentionally skirting the rules and regulations for personal gain.