The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) is set to open a state-operated marijuana testing laboratory in Oklahoma City by February 2025.
Renovations for the facility, located at Reno and Meridian avenues, began in mid-November and are expected to last 90 days. The lab, authorized by Senate Bill 813 in 2023, received $4.9 million in funding, including $3.5 million for start-up costs and $1.4 million for ongoing operations.
OMMA Chief Science Officer Lee Rhoades highlighted its importance in ensuring product safety, saying “Independent testing allows us to double-check the quality of products and protect the public”.
The lab will perform parallel testing, reexamining products tested by private labs, and round-robin testing, evaluating consistency among commercial labs statewide. OMMA has already hired key personnel and is acquiring equipment to ensure a swift start once renovations are complete.
Collaboration with private labs is central to OMMA’s plans.
“We want to establish optimal testing practices and foster a level playing field,” Rhoades said, noting support from many commercial labs.
Rhoades says they have already filled positions for a laboratory director and a quality assurance manager.
According to Rhoades, the lab is expected to address quality concerns and strengthen regulatory oversight of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry.
