OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority will stop processing applications for new grower, dispensary and processor licenses for up to two years, starting in August, the agency announced Friday.
The moratorium is mandated in House Bill 3208, which Governor Stitt signed last week.
The OMMA will accept new grower, dispensary and processor applications through 11:59 p.m. Aug. 1, said Porsha Riley, the agency’s public information officer.
“Beginning August 1, 2022, and ending August 1, 2024, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority shall, based on the number of current medical marijuana business licenses for dispensaries, processors, and commercial growers, declare and establish a moratorium on processing and issuing new medical marijuana business licenses” for dispensaries, processors, and MMJ farmers, the legislation decrees.
However, the executive director of the OMMA is authorized to terminate the moratorium at any time prior to August 1, 2024, if all pending licensing reviews, inspections, or investigations “have been completed by the Authority.”
Grower, dispensary and processor licenses already issued are not affected by the moratorium.
“All of our current grower, dispensary and processor licensees who stay in compliance with our rules should know HB 3208 doesn’t change anything for them,” OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry said. “Owners of current licenses will still be able to apply for renewal when it's time.”
The State Health Department has issued MMJ licenses to 7,724 growers, 2,286 dispensaries and 1,489 processors as of May 15.
Most applicants for new and renewed grower, dispensary and processor licenses may still resubmit a corrected license application once if the initial application is rejected after Aug. 1. Some circumstances may require a denial, and other circumstances could allow an additional chance to resubmit a corrected application, Berry said.
After Aug. 1, any applicant for a grower, dispensary or processor application whose application is denied will not be allowed to reapply for a new license until the moratorium is over. Licensees who surrender a license after Aug. 1 also may not apply for a new one during the moratorium.
Any grower, dispensary or processor that allows its license to expire after Aug. 1 without submitting a renewal application will not be able to apply for a renewed or new license during the moratorium.