SB1247: Tougher Rules for Medical Dispensaries? Not This Time.

Oklahoma medical marijuana businesses avoid new licensing hurdles

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Photo byDarkoStojanovic

What did SB1247 want to accomplish?

SB1247 wanted to change some rules for medical marijuana businesses in Oklahoma. It says that businesses that want a license to sell medical marijuana would need to share certain details with the state and put up specific information at their stores and work sites.

This is what it wanted to do:

1. Business Information: The businesses have to give information about the people working on their buildings, like contractors. If someone is doing a job that needs a special license (like an electrician), the business has to provide that information too.
2. Posting Information: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will require more information to be available on their website about medical marijuana businesses.
3. Background Checks: People who apply for a medical marijuana business license will have to go through tougher background checks and show proof of their identity.
4. Signs at Work Sites: When a business is building or fixing its store, they must put up signs showing who the contractors are and what licenses they have.

Who would have benefited from this law?

✔️The Public: By requiring tougher background checks and making business information more available online, people will feel more confident that medical marijuana businesses are operating legally and safely.

✔️Medical Marijuana Customers: They’ll benefit from safer business practices and knowing that the places they buy from follow the rules and are properly licensed.

✔️Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA): OMMA will have more power to enforce regulations and ensure businesses are following the law, leading to better oversight.

✔️Licensed Contractors: Legitimate contractors working on these businesses will benefit because their work and licenses will be clearly posted, ensuring transparency and trust.

✔️Medical Marijuana Business Owners: Those who follow the rules will benefit from a more regulated and safer industry, as the new law helps to weed out unlicensed or illegal operators.

What are some concerns people might have about this law?

Some of these may be reasons why the bill failed to pass:

⚠️Increased Costs for Businesses: Medical marijuana businesses may face higher costs due to the need for more paperwork, background checks, and proper signage at work sites.

⚠️Time-Consuming Process: The stricter rules for background checks and providing contractor information could slow down the process of getting a business license or making upgrades to their facilities.

⚠️Potential for Confusion: Small business owners may struggle to understand and comply with the new rules, especially if they are unclear about the exact requirements for posting contractor information.

⚠️Barrier to Entry: Some potential business owners might find the increased regulations too difficult or expensive to meet, which could discourage new businesses from opening.

⚠️Enforcement Challenges: The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority may face difficulties in enforcing all the new rules, especially if they don’t have enough staff or resources.

This bill was introduced on 2/15/24 by Senator George Burns [R] and Representative Scott Fetgatter [R]. Due to a lack of support, missed deadlines, committee action, leadership decisions or veto, this bill failed to pass and will not be signed into law.

➡️Is this something that you think Oklahomans need? How would it have benefited the county you live in?

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Hi, I'm Judy! I love talking about the area I live in and what affects us. Follow me if you'd like more stories like this.