After eight straight months of declining patient numbers, Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program finally saw a rebound in September, before slipping slightly in October.
Today, state regulators published patient data for September and October. The state’s active patient count rose to 324,850 in September, reversing a steady decline that began in January. The increase follows months of consecutive drops, including 326,828 in July and 318,578 in August — the lowest total since mid-2020.
However, the rebound was short-lived. October’s patient count slipped slightly to 322,587, suggesting the broader downward trend may not be over, but may be at least slowing.
The shift comes as Oklahoma’s once-booming medical marijuana system continues to recalibrate. After years of fast growth and the most accessible licensing rules in the country, the program is now experiencing heightened oversight, stricter enforcement, and a noticeable tightening of patient renewals.
The rise of hemp-derived THC products is also believed to be pulling some patients away from the state’s licensed medical system. Items containing delta-8, delta-10, THCa, and other derivatives remain widely available in smoke shops and online, often at lower prices and without the need for a medical card. However, President Trump just signed a bill to ban these products nationwide, which some believe could result in increased interest in state-level cannabis programs.
Meanwhile, Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action failed to garner enough signatures to place a cannabis legalization initiative on the 2026 ballot.
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