Hearing Set for Updates on Medical Marijuana

OKLAHOMA CITY – House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, and State Rep. Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, announced today they will hold a hearing on Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program on Dec. 14.

The lawmakers plan to invite speakers from the industry and Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to present before relevant legislative committee members. The hearing will be open to the public.

“We’ve seen tremendous growth in this industry in the two and a half years since Oklahomans legalized medical marijuana on a statewide ballot,” Echols said. “An update from the industry and regulators about experiences to date and where we are headed is timely for policymakers as we continue working to implement the will of the people.”

Fetgatter and Echols have authored several pieces of legislation to strengthen regulations around the medical marijuana industry in a manner consistent with the will of the people.

“Industry, patients and regulators are bringing many good ideas for updates and adjustments to statute after two years of operating under Oklahoma’s first regulatory framework for medical marijuana. This hearing will give them and the public a chance to hear those ideas, and us as policymakers a chance to start vetting them,” Fetgatter said.

Oklahoma voters petitioned to place the legalization of medical marijuana on a statewide ballot and State Question 788 was approved in June 2018. Medical marijuana has since grown into a multimillion dollar industry, with more than 300,000 licensed patients. More than 10,000 licensed businesses are either growing, testing or selling the substance in Oklahoma. The state question led to the establishment of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to regulate the industry.

The time and location of the hearing is to be determined.