State lawmakers are calling for marijuana regulations as the industry booms in Oklahoma
The medical marijuana industry is taking off in Oklahoma. As authorities are struggling to keep up, state lawmakers are introducing dozens of bills ranging from licensing to enforcement. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — The medical marijuana industry is taking off in Oklahoma.
As authorities are struggling to keep up, state lawmakers are introducing dozens of bills ranging from licensing to enforcement.
Rep. Scott Fetgatter, (R)-Okmulgee, said after years of avoiding the subject, it's become a hot topic at the Capitol.
“For three and a half years some of us would hear, 'We don’t want to hear marijuana bills. We don’t want to talk about marijuana.' Several of us were saying up here we need to get our hands around this issue," Rep. Fetgatter said.
Rep. Fetgatter has been on the forefront of marijuana legislation since the day the state question passed.
He's introducing a slew of different bills this session, focused on helping those who are legally growing their businesses.
“Are we dealing with some sort of organized criminal operation, or are we dealing with legitimate business owners who are just trying to take a risk and take their shot at the new gold rush?" Rep. Fetgatter said.
Across state legislation, the conversation has changed from Oklahomans accepting legalization of the drug to now disagreeing with how its being handled.
“People aren’t mad at marijuana, they’re mad at the lack of enforcement of the program, and the rules and the regulations of what they’re seeing go on in their communities," Rep. Fetgatter said. "Because OMMA has not fulfilled what they needed to be doing in order to keep Oklahomans safe.”
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority handles the licensing and regulations of the marijuana industry.
“We’ve been trying to catch up," Kelsey Pagonis, OMMA Communications Director said. "So it’s two steps forward, one step back if you will.”
Pagonis said there is already some progress on enforcement.
Previously, OMMA had under twenty compliance inspectors. Now, they have fifty.
“That helps us get people out into all four corners of the state and looking at the businesses that are licensed and inspecting them," Pagonis said. "That’s huge as far as regulation goes.”
Pagonis said the OMMA's priorities right now are enforcement and reducing the amount of illegal operations.
Rep. Fetgatter said some of the legislation on the table could prevent black market sellers from thriving in the industry.
“The industry is asking for more enforcement, so that’s a positive," Rep. Fetgatter said. "The industry is coming to us and saying we need help because there’s so much illegal activity going on that we can’t survive.”
For a list of bills related to medical marijuana that are on the agenda this session, you can click here.
