House, Senate pass multiple bills to reform and tighten marijuana laws

This past week was a busy one in the Legislature as it relates to approving legislation addressing marijuana reforms. Since the recreational marijuana state question went down in flames, legislators have made it clear that they interpret the results as voters indicating that medical program is in need of reining in.

I've bundled several press releases on related legislation into this post. Read on down to get the following:

• Senate approves bill (SB 808) to allow OMMA director to shut down marijuana operations causing environmental damage
• Attorney General Drummond lauds passage of bills (HB 2095, SBs 806 and 913) targeting illegal marijuana grow operations
• Municipalities to gain greater control over marijuana business zoning under bill (SB 801) passed by Senate
• Senate passes marijuana reforms to better protect youth and patients (SBs 437, 440, 439, 264, 645, 813)

In wake of recreational defeat, senators call for guardrails on medical marijuana program

Sen. Garvin calls for more guardrails on medical marijuana program after recreational defeat

OKLAHOMA CITY (March 8th) - On the heels of Oklahomans’ overwhelming defeat of State Question 820 that would have legalized recreational marijuana, Sen. Jessica Garvin, R-Duncan, Wednesday said the result of the recent election shows the state’s medical program needs reformed.

With more than 61% of voters rejecting the state question, not a single county voted in favor of the measure. Opposition to the question included industry leaders, educators, law enforcement officials and community leaders.

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.