Over the years, Oklahoma has enacted several laws regarding the use, possession, and cultivation of cannabis. Trying to wade through the statutes can be confusing, especially if you don’t have a legal background. This guide is here to help you navigate through the laws so you can safely and legally use cannabis in the state. Let’s look at the five key Oklahoma cannabis laws.
#1 – Medical Cannabis Legalization
In the year 2018, Oklahoma took a progressive step by legalizing the use of medical marijuana through Title 63 Section 420 of the Oklahoma Statutes. Under the law, patients with a state-issued medical marijuana license are legally allowed to possess, purchase, cultivate, and consume marijuana products.
Oklahoma’s legal framework has created a pathway for patients to obtain safe and reliable access to medical marijuana by offering them an alternative and natural approach to managing their health. However, patients wanting to get a medical marijuana license must meet specific eligibility criteria, including having a qualifying medical condition and obtaining a recommendation from a licensed physician.
#2 – Possession Limits
Oklahoma’s cannabis laws also outline specific possession limits for medical cannabis patients. Individuals with a state-issued license can possess up to:
- Three ounces of marijuana on their person
- Eight ounces of marijuana at their residence
Additionally, they can possess one ounce of marijuana concentrates and seventy-two ounces of edible marijuana products. With these limits, patients can continue to access their medicine while preventing potential misuse.
#3 – Cultivation
For those patients with valid, state-issued medical marijuana licenses, they have the opportunity to grow their plants. According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), patients are permitted to have at their primary residence:
- Six mature cannabis plants
- Six seedlings
Commercial growers must comply with all laws stated in Title 63 O.S. § 420 et seq. These licenses are valid for only one year and only granted to processors, dispensaries, and other cannabis growers.
#4 – Qualifying Patients
Another law that Oklahoma residents will want to know is the statute involving qualifying patients or who is allowed to apply for a medical marijuana card. Unlike many other states, Oklahoma does not restrict medical cannabis use to a predefined list of diseases or symptoms.
Instead, all medical marijuana license applications are required to be signed by an Oklahoma physician. If a registered and licensed physician believes that an illness can be treated with medical marijuana, then they can provide a written recommendation to the patient.
#5 – Purchasing
In Oklahoma, medical cannabis can be purchased from state-licensed dispensaries. Only patients with valid, state-issued medical marijuana licenses are able to shop at these dispensaries.
Bonus: New Laws in 2024
In 2024, Oklahoma lawmakers introduced new laws to regulate the medical cannabis industry. House Bill 3971 authorizes the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) to employ “secret shoppers” for compliance tests. With that, there will be guidelines for testing and delivering samples to quality assurance labs.
Another law, House Bill 3929, allows process validation as an acceptable testing practice and makes process validation non-mandatory.
Learn More About these Important Oklahoma Cannabis Laws
Oklahoma’s cannabis laws provide patients with access to potentially beneficial medicine while implementing protections to prevent misuse. If you are a state resident, you need to understand these laws so you can remain compliant regarding any purchasing, usage, or cultivation of these plants. If you would like to learn more about cannabis laws in Oklahoma, please contact Brune Law Firm. You can schedule a consultation by calling (918) 238-7580.