Bill addressing illegal medical marijuana operations heads to full Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate Business Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 806 Monday, assisting with the regulation of the medical marijuana industry. The bill, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, was requested by Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) and the Attorney General’s office. The legislation would restrict how many marijuana business licenses could use the same physical address for their applications.

“Those who regulate our medical marijuana industry are running into problems when they raid a facility only to learn that there are numerous licensees who utilize that one address and all have product stored there,” Howard said. “This makes it nearly impossible for law enforcement to know what product is actually illegal and to properly investigate the case. This measure would limit the number of licenses that can be listed under one address to help improve regulation and shut down illegal business activity.”

SB 806 would require proof that a medical marijuana business license applicant has possessory right to the real estate where their business will operate by submitting a copy of an executed deed of conveyance or a signed lease for the property. No address or physical location would be allowed to have multiple licenses within the same category.

Howard said his legislation will help address illegal foreign ownership of land and illegal applications for transfer.

“By requiring full disclosure of possessory right, OMMA and OBN will be able to ensure no illegal operations or bad foreign actors are abusing Oklahoma lands and citizens,” Howard said. “This bill would also ensure we know that there are no straw purchasers for illegal foreign owners coming in after the initial application.”

SB 806 will now go before the full Senate.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Howard: (405) 521-5612 or Brent.Howard@oksenate.gov