Oklahoma Bill to Ease Marijuana License Denials Faces Uncertain Future
As the Oklahoma Legislature enters its final weeks of the 2025 session, a bill aimed at streamlining the medical marijuana licensing process is facing an uncertain future. Senate Bill 1039, which seeks to ease the backlog of OMMA applications, has cleared the Senate but is now awaiting consideration by a small committee that will reconcile the House and Senate versions.
The bill’s House author, Rep. Josh Cantrell, R-Kingston, said the legislation is intended to address the concerns of medical marijuana business owners, who have complained about delays in getting their applications processed. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s third-party licensing software requires applicants to start from scratch if there is a single mistake or missing document, leading to frustration and anxiety among business owners.
Under the current system, a missing document or missed checkbox can cause an application to be denied outright. SB 1039 would clarify that clerical or typographical errors in an application will not be a reason for denial, and would provide a 30-day grace period for missing documents to be attached. The bill would also explicitly state that the lack of a certificate of occupancy shall not be the sole cause for denial of an application.
Cantrell acknowledged that the bill’s future is uncertain, as it must still pass through the conference committee before reaching the governor’s desk. However, he expressed hope that lawmakers will be able to come together to pass the legislation.
Several other medical marijuana bills remain alive in the Oklahoma Legislature, including SB 786, which clarifies that consuming marijuana while driving is illegal, and SB 1066, which requires doctors to register with the authority before recommending medical marijuana and undergo state-approved education. Other bills, such as HB 2897 and HB 2837, would require dispensaries to post warning signs and medical marijuana employees to undergo annual state-approved education, respectively.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has acknowledged issues with the current licensing software and plans to launch a new, integrated licensing and inspection software platform within the next fiscal year. The agency hopes the new system will decrease turnaround times and enhance regulatory efforts.
As the legislative session comes to a close, lawmakers must finish their business by May 30 unless called back for a special session. The fate of SB 1039 and other medical marijuana bills remains uncertain, but advocates are hopeful that lawmakers will be able to come together to pass legislation that benefits the industry and its stakeholders.
