Gov. Stitt praises Medical Marijuana Authority, Bureau of Narcotics for enforcement efforts

Governor Stitt Commends Medical Marijuana Authority, Bureau of Narcotics for Enforcement Efforts

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 22, 2025) - Today, Governor Kevin Stitt commended the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) on their successful ongoing efforts to reduce illegal marijuana grows and other criminal activity in the state.

“In 2022, I made it a top priority to crack down on our out-of-control medical marijuana industry,” said Governor Stitt. “Director Berry, Director Anderson, and our county sheriffs have worked tirelessly to accomplish that by removing illegal grows, addressing human trafficking, and protecting Oklahomans. They do so without seeking accolades or recognition. I am grateful for their service and their commitment to the safety and well-being of all four million Oklahomans."

Since 2022, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has seized 1.7 million illegal marijuana plants, 181,000 pounds of processed marijuana, and made 302 arrests.

State Rep. Humphrey comments on OMMA whistleblowers, layoffs

Humphrey Comments on OMMA Layoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY (August 20th) – Rep. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, today issued the following statements about the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA).

"For the last year I have been working with whistleblowers from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to expose improper and possible criminal acts. These whistleblowers have documented an abundance of shady purchasing practices, including failure to use purchase orders and conducting business without proper contracts. They assisted me in putting all these improper purchases in files and on a thumb drive to give investigative authorities. Two of the whistleblowers alleged a top executive at OMMA was conspiring to do business with a company that employed that executive’s wife. Whistleblowers produced a tape of this executive, sounding aggressive and intimidating, telling employees there was nothing wrong with the business transactions but because of the employees, the transaction would be terminated and that their actions had been an embarrassment. The tape is very compelling and appears to be an admission of guilt. I do want to report that these two brave whistleblowers have been fired.

AG's Organized Crime Task Force seizes 72k pounds of illegal marijuana

Photo courtesy of the Attorney General's office

 Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force seizes 72,000 lbs. of illegal marijuana 

OKLAHOMA CITY (Nov. 14, 2023) – The Attorney General’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) last week seized more than 36 tons of illegal marijuana in searches conducted in Wagoner County and Lincoln County. Attorney General Gentner Drummond established the task force earlier this year to combat Oklahoma’s many illegal marijuana operations.

“Our state has been overrun with criminals who are trafficking drugs in our local communities and throughout the country,” Drummond said. “I will not tolerate this serious threat to public safety. I am proud of the work of the Organized Crime Task Force and our law enforcement partners for their efforts to eliminate this blight on our communities.”

AG Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal marijuana grows

Drummond creates organized crime task force to combat illegal grow operations

Citizen tipline added

OKLAHOMA CITY (Sept. 20, 2023) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond has created an Organized Crime Task Force to combat the scourge of illegal marijuana grow operations across Oklahoma and added a resource for citizens to report suspicious activity related to unlicensed operations.

Bill requiring bonding for marijuana grows signed into law

Bill requiring bonding for marijuana grows signed into law

OKLAHOMA CITY (April 24th) – Sen. Darcy Jech, R-Kingfisher, said he appreciates the support of Gov. Kevin Stitt after Senate Bill 913 was signed into law Thursday. Jech is the author of the measure, which will hold medical marijuana grows accountable by requiring them to submit a bond along with their application covering the area where they will conduct business.

Bullard measure to keep marijuana grows away from churches passes Senate

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Bullard measure to keep marijuana grows away from churches passes Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY – The Senate approved legislation Tuesday to keep marijuana grow operations away from Oklahoma’s religious institutions. Sen. David Bullard, R-Durant, authored the legislation to extend the same protections to churches as schools currently have regarding where grows can be established. Senate Bill 116 would create a 1,000 feet setback requirement from any place of worship for medical marijuana commercial grower facilities.

Bill addressing illegal medical marijuana operations heads to full Senate

Bill addressing illegal medical marijuana operations heads to full Senate

OKLAHOMA CITY (Feb. 28th) – The Senate Business Committee unanimously approved Senate Bill 806 Monday, assisting with the regulation of the medical marijuana industry. The bill, by Sen. Brent Howard, R-Altus, was requested by Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) and the Attorney General’s office. The legislation would restrict how many marijuana business licenses could use the same physical address for their applications.

Gov. Stitt appoints Adria Berry as executive director of OK Medical Marijuana Authority

GOVERNOR STITT APPOINTS ADRIA BERRY AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF OMMA

OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct.18, 2022) – Governor Kevin Stitt today announced Adria Berry has been appointed to serve as Executive Director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) which will officially transition to an independent state agency on November 1, 2022, per SB 1543.

“For over a year Adria Berry has been leading Oklahoma’s efforts to enforce our laws and crack down on the marijuana black market,” said Governor Kevin Stitt. “Now that OMMA is becoming a stand-alone agency, I am pleased to officially appoint Adria as executive director and have full confidence in her continued leadership and dedication to get the medical marijuana industry under control and keep our communities safe.”

House Republicans pass 12-point medical marijuana reform package

House Republicans advance comprehensive medical marijuana policy package

Bills will stop illegal marijuana grows, improve product safety and health

OKLAHOMA CITY – Following the largest single day illegal marijuana bust in state history last month, House Republicans have advanced a comprehensive medical marijuana policy plan to stop illegal grows and foster a safer, fairer free market for the product.

The 12-point plan advanced through multiple bills in House committees last week.

"Illegal marijuana grows end now. The black market isn't a free market," said House Majority Floor Leader Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City. "This comprehensive plan aggressively attacks the spread of illegal marijuana operations statewide, as the people of Oklahoma have demanded."

The 12-point plan will require:          

• Making the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority a standalone agency
• A grant program for county sheriff's departments to fund law enforcement efforts in every county (HB 3530)
• Full implementation of a seed to sale system (either via court order or new legislation)
• Provisional licensing requiring pre-license inspections and increased document submission prior to approval (HB 3734)
• Tiered grow license fees based on grow size (HB 2179)
• Separate licensing for medical marijuana wholesalers (HB 3634)
• All medical marijuana businesses to post standardized permit signage at the place of business (HB 2025)
• Stringent electrical and water data reporting by marijuana growers (HB 4055)
• Annual inspections (HB 2024)
• Product packaging standards and maximum beyond use dates (HB 3019; HB 4288)
• Standardized laboratory testing and equipment (HB 4056)
• Marijuana grows to register as environmentally sensitive crop owners with the Agriculture Department (HB 3827)

A seven-member Republican working group collaborated for months with industry stakeholders, other legislators, regulators, law enforcement and other experts to develop the plan. The working group was comprised of Reps. Rusty Cornwell, R-Vinita, Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City, Scott Fetgatter, R-Okmulgee, T.J. Marti, R-Broken Arrow, Kevin McDugle, R-Broken Arrow, John Pfeiffer, R-Orlando, and Jay Steagall, R-Yukon.

"All these bills work together to create a multifaceted, synergistic approach to extinguish illegal growing and distributing while focusing on product safety and public health," Marti said. "Oklahoma is open for legal business. Legitimate businesses will rise and illegal operators will fall under this package."

Marti is chairman of the House Alcohol, Tobacco & Controlled Substances Committee, which advanced most of the bills containing the plan.

Fetgatter, who has worked extensively on medical marijuana issues for the past three years, praised the collaboration used to develop the plan.

"These solutions build on our work in previous years to comprehensively address the most significant concerns citizens across the state – from anti-marijuana voices to our many legitimate marijuana businesses – have had since State Question 788 passed. I am proud of my colleagues for their collaborative teamwork on this complex, pressing issue," Fetgatter said.

Oklahoma voters authorized medical marijuana through State Question 788 in 2018. As the state's medical marijuana industry has grown since then, so has its illegal black market. Marijuana grown in Oklahoma can only be consumed in Oklahoma, and authorities have said far more marijuana is being grown here than can be consumed here. Law enforcement has connected some grow operations to international organized crime and drug trafficking organizations.

More than 200 law enforcement agents conducted the largest single day drug bust in state history last month, raiding a dozen locations statewide to seize 100,000 marijuana plants and thousands of pounds of processed marijuana with an estimated street value of $500 million. More a than a dozen resulting arrest warrants in multiple states are being pursued. Such raids have become increasingly common as illegal medical marijuana grows proliferate across Oklahoma.

A House resolution honoring the officers involved in the raids was presented on the House floor last week.

"If you're a bad actor, you better get out or get straight or you'll be next," said Pfeiffer, a member of the marijuana working group. "From last month's historic bust to this aggressive policy package, the message is clear: Illegal marijuana is coming to an end in Oklahoma."

State Reps study Medical Marijuana impacts on Counties

Humphrey, Kevin West Study Medical Marijuana Impacts on Counties

OKLAHOMA CITY – Reps. Justin Humphrey, R-Lane, and Kevin West, R-Moore, on Tuesday held an interim study before the House Alcohol, Tobacco and Controlled Substances Committee to discuss the impact to counties from the explosion of medical marijuana, growers, dispensers and users.

"We're following up today on what we saw in other medical marijuana studies and how this is affecting our counties," Humphrey said. "We're looking at what we need to do as a state to improve and do a better job of regulating this new industry."

West said he's heard from numerous constituents about the effect of this industry in his House district, from grow facilities to dispensaries.

"Just like any business," West said, "We have to make sure the business owner is obeying local ordinances and state law. We must ensure public safety and that our county and municipal resources are adequate to handle the demands placed on them."

During the study, lawmakers heard from county commissioners, a county sheriff, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), a district attorney, a county assessor and others who addressed issues from multiple angles.