medical marijuana

Since 2018, Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry has grown rapidly. Currently, the state leads the nation in the number of cannabis dispensaries, and it ranks second for dispensaries per capita. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses two reports that give insight into the prevalence of Oklahoma's cannabis business. 

A new medical marijuana law recently took effect in Oklahoma, regulating product labeling and drug testing policies. But since cannabis remains illegal federally, banks are still unsure on how to safely serve the industry. On the latest Business Intelligence Report, Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses the state's new regulations, as well as how proposed legislation could protect banks.

The demand for licenses to grow hemp has exceeded state officials' expectations. Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses  profitable aspects of the hemp industry and how Oklahoma hopes to model its certification program on states like Colorado. 

The Red Bud Dispensary in Marlow, Okla. looks like an Apple store, with white walls and track lighting. The dispensary is packed with people, but they aren’t here to buy medical marijuana. The dispensary hasn’t technically opened yet, so it doesn’t even have THC products – the mainly middle-aged crowd is standing around empty glass cases. They are here for something else – a doctor’s recommendation.

Some Oklahoma retail landlords are reluctant to lease space to medical marijuana dispensaries since State Question 788 passed in June 2018. On this week's Business Intelligence Report, Journal Record editor Russell Ray discusses the difficulties banks are facing in relation to medical marijuana. 

Attorneys in Oklahoma are telling business-owning clients that they should adapt their drug-testing policies now that the state has adopted medical marijuana.

William Yarborough walks across the hall from his office to an exam room. His Hawaiian shirt and matching khaki pants aren’t the typical doctor’s garb.

Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry will likely conduct business only in cash. That puts a wrinkle in how the state will collect taxes.

In this episode of Capitol Insider, KGOU’s Dick Pryor and eCapitol’s Shawn Ashley discuss ongoing meetings about Oklahoma’s medical marijuana rules. They also give an update on the Oklahoma Ethics Commission’s lawsuit against Gov. Mary Fallin and other state officials ahead of its July 31 hearing in the state Supreme Court.

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Dick Pryor: Shawn, the Oklahoma summer of marijuana continues with more developments in the regulation of medicinal marijuana.

Avery Huckabee is looking over the menu at the Earth Cafe in Norman with her friends. With the passage of State Question 788 in June, which legalized medical marijuana in Oklahoma, the high school senior is looking forward to talking to her doctor about getting a license.

In this episode of Capitol Insider, KGOU’s Dick Pryor and eCapitol’s Shawn Ashley talk through the process and politics of the controversial health department rules for Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program, including a ban on products intended for smoking. These rules can be amended, but as Ashley explains, Republicans lack the political will to return to the capitol before the next legislative session. Democrats will likely turn it into a campaign issue.  

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Oklahomans will have many legal questions about medical marijuana, but attorneys say existing rules might make it difficult to answer them. Marijuana is illegal at the federal, and rules of professional conduct in Oklahoma prohibit attorneys from counseling or assisting clients in criminal or fraudulent conduct.