Oklahoma has prolonged its pause on new medical cannabis licenses until 2026, as reported by Tulsa World. The recent legislation grants the state Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) the authority to lift the moratorium if it deems all pending licensing reviews, inspections, or investigations as complete.
The moratorium, in effect for over a year, has left thousands of license reviews pending. Michael Kimball, OMMA communications manager, expressed skepticism about the moratorium ending prematurely.
According to state data cited by Tulsa World, the number of active cultivation licenses in November 2020 was 5,905, which increased to 9,178 by November 2021. However, by August 2022, when the moratorium was initiated, the count had decreased to 7,167. Notably, the moratorium doesn’t prevent existing licensees from renewing or selling their licenses.
The moratorium was implemented as the state took action against problematic medical cannabis cultivators accused of product diversion. In August, the state Bureau of Narcotics disclosed the shutdown of over 800 unlawful operators masquerading under the state medical cannabis program in the previous two years. Recently, OMMA announced plans to revoke the licenses of 165 cultivation facilities for failing to display required signage on their property, mandated by a bill effective last year.
