Oklahoma to Vote on Medical Cannabis in 2018

After conflict over verbiage, Oklahoma will soon be voting to legalize medical cannabis consumption in the state next year. Oklahoma’s secretary of state’s office approved a ballot measure to legalize cannabis for medical use.

The Oklahomans For Health (OFH)-backed measure was originally qualified for the 2016 ballot. OFH hopes for a special election before the 2018 vote. State Question 788 will amend and add a section to Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes. The initiative includes several pieces of regulation to provide groundwork building an industry in the state. It would establish four business license types and prevent vertical integration, breaking regulation into dispensaries, growers, processors and transporters. There is no cap on business licenses but at least 75 percent of the business must be owned by residents of the state.

The measure would also allow for quick integration of the law, requiring the state to make business applications available within 30 days of passage, and license pending time is only two weeks before acceptance or refusal. State Question 788 does not currently include any information regarding qualifying conditions for medical cannabis. The ballot proposal does list a seven percent tax that to be placed on sales.

Earlier this year, a bill to approve medical cannabis consumption and cultivation is in the Oklahoma house and is currently in the House Appropriations and Budget Health Subcommittee Committee for review. That plan includes a $7,500 application fee and a cultivation license fee not to exceed $15,000. It also would create a commission to oversee the industry and allow the Alcoholic Beverage Laws Enforcement to adopt new rules and track records.

The plan has been said to be like the one in Arkansas, who started taking applications for licenses this week. Officials in Arkansas project that 20,000 to 40,000 people will be seeking to apply for access to medical cannabis.

The next step for the Oklahoma initiative is an official proclamation by the governor declaring an election date.