An Oklahoma moratorium (temporary ban) on new marijuana businesses has been extended to at least 2026.
Governor Kevin Stitt signed House Bill 2095 into law earlier this month, officially extending the state’s ban on the establishment of any new medical marijuana businesses.
Last year Oklahoma lawmakers enacted a moratorium that explicitly prohibits regulators from issuing licenses for any new medical marijuana dispensaries, processors, or commercial growers until August 1, 2024. House Bill 2095 extends the ban by two years, until August 1, 2026.
According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, as of May 1 there are nearly 3,000 dispensaries throughout the state (2,865 total), serving 365,667 medical marijuana patients. There are also 1,497 caregivers, 6,675 growers and 1,805 processors.
The 365k patients represents a little less than 10% of the total population.
A separate measure, Senate Bill 440, would allow regulators to ban the sale of certain high-THC marijuana products. That effort has passed the Senate and is currently awaiting consideration in the House.
Oklahoma’s medical marijuana law was passed by voters in 2018. The law allows those with a physician recommendation to possess up to one ounce of marijuana and up to 72 ounces of marijuana edibles. Patients can also cultivate up to six plants, and they can purchase marijuana from a licensed marijuana dispensary.
