Marijuana entrepreneurs flocking to “Bible Belt” for low taxes

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — When voters in conservative Oklahoma approved medical marijuana in 2018, many thought that the rollout would be slow and burdened with bureaucracy. Instead, business is booming so much that cannabis industry workers and entrepreneurs are moving to Oklahoma from states with more well-established marijuana cultures, like California, Colorado, and Oregon.

Those coming to Oklahoma say it’s because there are fewer costs and lower regulatory burdens. While startup costs in other states can run into the millions of dollars, Oklahoma has no restrictions on the number dispensaries, growers, and processors. All those licenses cost $2,500 annually, and the application process is relatively simple.