Okc, Ok July, 30 (The Oklahoma Post) –
Update to a story run earlier in the month regarding the OMMA moratorium snd it’s start date. The date is now August 26 and has a corrected statement here.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) announced that no new licenses would be approved by the State of Oklahoma for the State’s booming cannabis industry. Oklahoma will stop processing applications for new grower, dispensary and processor licenses for up to two years after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 3208 on Thursday. The moratorium will last until late 2024 or until the OMMA Director determines all pending license reviews, inspections and investigations are complete. There is a backlog that should clear easily, considering the proper ISO standard business workflows are in place for the organization. Cannabis applications in Oklahoma have been increasing from persons residing outside of Oklahoma. Many believe the success is due in part to low start-up costs, liberal cannabis rules, and a healthy population of cannabis patrons.
Adria Berry, the state OMMA Director, stated in a NY Times article (Dec, 21) that a moratorium is not likely. The state reported nearly $138 million in revenue from retail, state and local taxes this year, through November, on the sale of cannabis.
All of our current grower, dispensary and processor licensees who stay in compliance with our rules should know HB 3208 doesn’t change anything for them – owners of current licenses will still be able to apply for renewal when it’s time,”
– OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry
See the entirety of the release below.
Update on OMMA Moratorium Start Date for New Grower, Processor and Dispensary Licenses
Saturday, July 30, 2022
The moratorium on processing applications for new grower, processor and dispensary licenses begins Aug. 26, not Aug. 1 as previously stated in communications from OMMA.
OMMA made an error interpreting the effective date of HB 3208, the legislation creating the moratorium. The language in the bill states the moratorium begins Aug. 1, but the bill itself did not earn enough votes in the Oklahoma Legislature to take effect until Aug. 26—the state has a two-thirds vote requirement for bills to take effect sooner than 90 days after adjournment. As a result, the moratorium cannot begin until the legislation takes effect.
“We made a mistake and interpreted the bill as written without taking the vote count into consideration,” said OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry. “We’re double-checking every piece of legislation affecting OMMA from the last legislative session to ensure this won’t be repeated. We hold ourselves to a high standard, and we fell short in this instance. We hope the transparency in our message today is evidence that we take seriously the trust Oklahomans place in OMMA.”
OMMA will stop processing applications for new grower, processor and dispensary applications at 12:01 a.m. Aug. 26, 2022.
The other previously described details regarding the moratorium remain the same. Current grower, processor and dispensary licensees are not affected and may apply to renew their licenses when it’s time. The moratorium will expire Aug. 1, 2024, or earlier if the Executive Director determines all pending license reviews, inspections or investigations are complete.
Executive Director Berry shares more in this video.
For media inquiries, contact Porsha Riley at: (405) 301-9685 or Porsha.Riley@health.ok.gov.
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End Press Release
View the original transcript on the Official Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Website.
(Writing by Rachel Smith; Editing by Robbie Robertson)
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