In just one month, the number of medical cannabis patient applications approved in the U.S. state of Oklahoma has grown by nearly 20,000.
Last month we reported the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) had received 57,401 applications, 43,840 of which had been approved as at February 11. There were also 947 dispensary, 1,600 grower and 436 processed licenses approved by that point in time.
One month on and here’s how the figures look, current as at March 11.
- 63,647 patient licenses approved
- 412 caregiver licenses approved
- 1,109 dispensary licenses approved
- 1,972 grower licenses approved
- 553 processor licenses approved
OMMA’s processing is going gangbusters on all accounts. It works out that around 1.6% of the state’s entire population have been approved as patients under Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program.
In other related news out of the state, Oklahoma’s Senate has voted 43-5 in favour of House Bill 2612, known as the “unity bill ” as it has been widely supported by the cannabis industry. The bill progressed quickly after having its first reading early last month.
Among various issues addressed by the bill, HB 2612 establishes guidelines for marijuana inventory testing and tracking, along with issues relating to advertising, packaging and labeling of products.
The bill states labeling and packaging will be required to be designed to minimise appeal to children and will not be permitted to feature images, aside from the business name logo of the producer and that of the product. As for testing of medical marijuana, OMMA will contract with a private laboratory.
A more in-depth look at what’s contained in HB 2612 and how it will impact the state’s industry can be viewed on NewsOK.
The unity bill now heads to Governor Kevin Stitt for his consideration and signing. Mr. Stitt, who has only been serving as the 28th Governor of Oklahoma since January 2019, has previously stated he supports medical marijuana.
UPDATE: KOCO News reports Governor Stitt has signed the bill into law
Dry flower, CBD, seedlings, liquids, edibles and vaping products are available to registered patients in the state, who can also grow up to six mature plants in their own home.
More information on Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program can be viewed on the OMMA web site.
