Oklahoma City, OK: Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt has signed legislation into law (HB 2095) extending the state’s ban on the establishment of any new medical cannabis businesses.
Lawmakers last year enacted a moratorium prohibiting regulators from issuing licenses for any new medical cannabis dispensaries, processors, or commercial growers. That moratorium was set to expire on August 1, 2024. The new law extends the ban until August 1, 2026.
An estimated 370,000 Oklahomans — slightly less than ten percent of the state’s total population — are registered with the state to access medical cannabis products. Over 2,800 licensed dispensaries currently operate in the state.
Separate legislation (SB 440) that provides regulators with the authority to ban the sale of certain high-THC products has passed the Senate and is pending in the House.
Voters in 2018 approved a statewide ballot initiative permitting the licensed production and retail sale of cannabis to those with a physician’s authorization. Voters failed to approve an adult-use legalization initiative during a special election in March.
Information on pending state legislation is available from NORML’s ‘Take Action Center.’