(The Center Square) – Oklahoma House Republicans said they want to root out illegal marijuana grows and protect the legal medical marijuana industry.
Eight out of nine marijuana growth facilities raided by law enforcement officials last month had a medical marijuana license, according to Adria Berry, director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), but some of the marijuana was being sold on the black market.
Law enforcement officers seized nearly 100,000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $500 million during the raids, according to the Oklahoma Narcotics Bureau.
Seven House Republicans are backing bills that increase oversight of the medical marijuana industry.
“We have seen black market elements competing with legitimate Oklahoma businesses,” House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said Monday during a news conference. “They are putting our citizens at risk. We know we have issues with human trafficking. We know we have issues with tainted product. And this is the House’s plan to do something about it.”
Medical marijuana became legal in the state after voters approved Oklahoma State Question 788, also known as the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, in June 2018. The state has attracted thousands of growers because of low licensing costs.
“Oklahoma charges just $2,500 for a commercial…
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(The Center Square) – Oklahoma House Republicans said they want to root out illegal marijuana grows and protect the legal medical marijuana industry.
Eight out of nine marijuana growth facilities raided by law enforcement officials last month had a medical marijuana license, according to Adria Berry, director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), but some of the marijuana was being sold on the black market.
Law enforcement officers seized nearly 100,000 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $500 million during the raids, according to the Oklahoma Narcotics Bureau.
Seven House Republicans are backing bills that increase oversight of the medical marijuana industry.
“We have seen black market elements competing with legitimate Oklahoma businesses,” House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, said Monday during a news conference. “They are putting our citizens at risk. We know we have issues with human trafficking. We know we have issues with tainted product. And this is the House’s plan to do something about it.”
Medical marijuana became legal in the state after voters approved Oklahoma State Question 788, also known as the Medical Marijuana Legalization Initiative, in June 2018. The state has attracted thousands of growers because of low licensing costs.
“Oklahoma charges just $2,500 for a commercial…
