A bill requiring annual training and credentialing for employees in Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry has become law after Governor Kevin Stitt declined to sign or veto the measure.
By taking no action, the governor allowed House Bill 2837 to take effect following its approval in the legislature, where it passed the House 75 to 12 and the Senate 31 to 14.
The new law mandates that all employees working in the state’s medical marijuana sector complete educational training annually to receive or renew their work credentials. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) will be responsible for approving the training programs, which may include instruction on state regulations, patient privacy, and the safe handling and storage of marijuana products.
In addition to the training requirement, all industry employees must undergo a fingerprint-based background check. These checks will be conducted through a third-party vendor contracted by OMMA, which will also manage credential processing and eligibility verification.
An amendment adopted during the legislative process pushed back the start date for the mandatory training program from January 1, 2026, to January 1, 2027. Lawmakers said the delay would give both businesses and regulators more time to implement the new system.
House Bill 2837 was sponsored by Representative Burns and Senator Coleman. With no veto or signature from the governor, the bill has now become law under Oklahoma’s constitutional rules.
