Click here to contact your state lawmaker about HB 2722.

Members of the Oklahoma House of Representatives recently approved HB 2722, which puts arbitrary caps on the number of medical cannabis businesses allowed in Oklahoma and creates impediments for new entrepreneurs to enter the industry. Passage of this legislation would only reduce competition and limit patients’ options.

HB 2722 is now being considered by state senators. Make sure your voice is heard before they vote by using our legislative action tool.

Oklahoma's medical cannabis program is working and helping patients. The state should avoid overly restricting an otherwise free and healthy medical cannabis market.

Thank you for taking action and contacting your state senator today.

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After winning overwhelming bipartisan approval from the Oklahoma legislature last week, HB 3228 was vetoed by the governor yesterday. And though marijuana policy reform advocates made a last-second push to urge legislators to override Gov. Stitt’s veto, lawmakers adjourned the legislative session without taking action on the bill.

The legislation would have allowed out-of-state medical marijuana patients to obtain a renewable three-month temporary license and permit dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana to registered patients who live within a 10-mile radius. It also would have eased penalties and removed jail time for first-time offenses for individuals found in possession of marijuana without a medical marijuana license.

This is certainly a disappointment, but there will be many more fights ahead. Our movement to replace harmful marijuana laws with sensible alternatives continues to gain steam, and it's only a matter of time before we make even greater progress in Oklahoma.

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Great news! Last week, the Oklahoma state Senate amended and passed HB 3228, a major medical marijuana reform bill, with a 38-5 vote. The House had previously approved the legislation in March and accepted the Senate’s changes late on Friday. The bill has been transmitted to Governor Kevin Stitt for his signature.

The legislation allows out-of-state medical marijuana patients to obtain a renewable three-month temporary license and permits dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana to registered patients. Among other changes, it also eases penalties and removes jail time for first-time offenses for individuals found in possession of marijuana without a medical marijuana license.

Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program has flourished since voters approved the original law in 2018. With nearly 300,000 patients registered, the state Tax Commission reports that medical marijuana sales generate close to $10 million each month in state tax revenue.

State lawmakers are also looking to make Oklahoma one of the first states to implement the use of marijuana breathalyzers for roadside testing to identify drivers who may be impaired. During the pilot phase, results will not be admissible in court.

Stay tuned for more updates on marijuana policy reforms in Oklahoma.

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Send a message and urge your lawmaker to support HB 3227.

Many Oklahomans depend on medical cannabis to alleviate seizures, severe nausea, debilitating pain, and other serious health conditions. That’s why public health officials with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority have deemed medical cannabis businesses “essential” during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Just a few weeks ago, the Oklahoma House of Representatives approved HB 3227, which would authorize dispensaries to contract with licensed transporters to deliver medical cannabis to patients' residences. As other states have done, Oklahoma should enact home delivery to protect an already vulnerable population during this serious crisis.

Please contact your state senator and urge them to move this legislation forward so it can be enacted into law. You can also help by forwarding this call to action to others.

Thank you for speaking out in support of sensible policies that will help keep medical cannabis patients safe during this dangerous outbreak.

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If you live in Oklahoma, ask your legislators to support reducing the penalty for possessing marijuana to a simple fine.

Three bills that would change Oklahoma's marijuana policies are advancing in the legislature.

HB 2614 would reduce the penalty for simple possession of cannabis to a fine of up to $400. Under Oklahoma's voter-enacted medical cannabis law, anyone possessing up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis that can "state a medical condition" is subject to a misdemeanor fine of up to $400. HB 2614 would apply even to those who cannot "state a medical condition."

Ask your lawmakers to support this modest bill. The current penalty for marijuana possession is up to a year in jail, up to a $1,000 fine, or both.

The second bill is the "unity" medical cannabis bill, HB 2612. That bill passed the House yesterday and now heads to the Senate. While some changes it proposes, such as providing for lab testing, are beneficial, others would whittle away at patient protections.

Under HB 2612, landlords could prohibit patients who are renters from vaporizing cannabis at home. It would also reduce employment protections by carving out exceptions for broadly defined "safety sensitive positions" that include driving, firefighting, and caring for children or patients. You can read our letter to sponsors here.

Finally, SB 1030, as modified by the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, would reduce the penalty for possession of up to 1.5 ounces of cannabis to up to a $400 civil fine. However, it would also add extremely broad exclusions for "safety sensitive positions," which would essentially nullify the medical cannabis employment protections. The exceptions include handling or preparing food, driving, firefighting, and caring for children or patients.

If you want to weigh in on HB 2612 or SB 1030 with your state senator, you can look them up here. You can give your state senator (the third category to appear after you fill in your address) a polite call to urge that HB 2612 and SB 1030 be amended to restore patient protections.

Finally, please share this message with other compassionate Oklahomans.

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If you're an Oklahoma resident, ask your state lawmakers to stop criminalizing cannabis consumers.

Yesterday, the Oklahoma Legislature kicked off the first day of its 2019 legislative session. Let your lawmakers know it's time for Oklahoma to stop arresting and jailing cannabis consumers.

In September, the Oklahoma City Council reduced the penalty for simple possession of cannabis to a civil fine, after the reform was recommended by Oklahoma City Police Chief Bill Citty.

Ask your legislators to take this modest but important reform to the state level.

Oklahoma has the highest incarceration rate in the nation. Let your lawmakers know there are better uses of jail space and law enforcement's time. It's time to stop derailing lives over a substance that is safer than alcohol.

Please take action and spread the word.

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Ask your state lawmakers to take this reform to the state level.

Starting on October 26, Oklahoma City’s maximum penalty for simple possession of marijuana will be reduced to a fine of up to $400. The Oklahoma City Council approved the proposal to remove jail time and reduce the penalty for marijuana possession last week. Until the new law takes effect, the maximum fine for possession is $1,200 and six months of jail time.

If you live in Oklahoma, let your lawmakers know the time has come for statewide decriminalization!

Penalizing individuals with jail time and a criminal record for possessing small amounts of marijuana wastes law enforcement resources. It can also lead to a lifetime of harsh consequences, including denial of student financial aid, housing, employment, and professional licenses. You can find more information on decriminalization here.

Please spread the word!

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The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will begin accepting medical cannabis applications from patients and prospective businesses on Saturday at 10:00 a.m.! This will make it one of the quickest states to implement a medical marijuana law.

Application materials and FAQs are already available on the OMMA’s site, including for:

• Adult patients and caregivers
• Minor patients and their caregivers
• Visiting patients registered in other states (temporary applications); and
• Businesses

OMMA has also opened a call center, which is open Monday through Friday, 8.30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The number is 405-522-6662.

In other news, as you may have seen, the Board of Health and Gov. Mary Fallin signed off on revised final regulations. The revised regs fix the major problems — including by nixing a THC cap and the ban on sales of flower and edible marijuana.

Meanwhile, a legislative working group is continuing to meet on the issue, and the Food Safety Standards Board hasissued recommendations.

Unfortunately, some governmental bodies are moving to restrict patients’ rights: Oklahoma State and the University of Oklahoma are prohibiting medical cannabis on their campuses. And the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigationupdated the state’s Self-Defense Act license application to warn individuals who use medical marijuana that they should answer “yes” when asked if they unlawfully use a controlled substance, which may prevent them from being licensed.

Please spread the word, so that Oklahoma patients can get the protections and safe access they deserve!

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On June 26, 57% of Oklahoma voters approved SQ 788 — a broad medical marijuana initiative that required swift implementation.

The Department of Health had been working for three months on regulations in case the initiative passed and swiftly released draft emergency regulations. MPP and many other advocates and patients submitted comments raising concerns, flagging several regulations that included onerous restrictions inconsistent with SQ 788.

Unfortunately, yesterday the Board of Health met to consider those regulations and approved almost all of the regulations we expressed concern about. They also added new restrictions — such as prohibiting the sale of smokeable cannabis.

The rules:

• Prohibit cannabis from being sold with more than 12% THC in infused products and prohibit plants from exceeding 20% THC.
• Prohibit dispensaries from selling smokeable, flower cannabis, and edible cannabis.
• Require each dispensary to have a pharmacist on staff.
• Require physicians to register before making recommendations, complete medical cannabis-specific training, and screen patients for substance abuse, mental health issues, and whether the patient presents a risk for diversion.
• Require physicians to perform a pregnancy test on “females of childbearing years” before recommending cannabis.

These restrictions will deprive some patients of the medicine that works best for them, while driving up costs and driving down doctor participation.

Advocates are considering next steps, including possible litigation. Stay tuned for updates. Also, we want to express our hearty congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to pass SQ 788!

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Mark another victory down for 2018. Oklahoma just became the 30th state to approve medical marijuana, as voters approved SQ 788 57% to 43%!

Despite an advertising blitz from opponents in the final days before the election, the Yes on 788 team emerged victorious. Thanks to the campaign’s efforts — and the voters of Oklahoma — tens of thousands of patients will soon be able to safely access medical marijuana with approval from their doctor.

The passage of State Question 788 highlights the strength and diversity of public support for laws allowing the medical use of marijuana. It is noteworthy that this measure passed in such a red state during a primary election, when voter turnout tends to be older and more conservative than during a general election.

Oklahoma lawmakers now plan to pass legislation to implement State Question 788. Read a summary of SQ 788 here.

The win in Oklahoma shows that our movement for sensible and compassionate marijuana policies is growing stronger and stronger. Later this year, voters in Utah and Michigan will also have an opportunity to approve legalization initiatives. Please consider supporting these important efforts:

>> Donate to the Utah medical marijuana campaign.

>> Donate to the Michigan legalization campaign.

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