The Oklahoma State Board of Health approved emergency rules to oversee the state’s Medical Marijuana Authority. The board approved the rules, with one exception, smokable cannabis products. The board vote was close, but they voted to ban smokable products, but patients can still grow it at home and smoke it.
The board also voted to require a pharmacist to be on staff at state medical marijuana dispensaries.
What’s New?
In a press release, New Health Solutions Oklahoma said, “This comes even though SQ 788 contained explicit language legalizing both edible marijuana and outlined guidelines for dispensaries.” The organization is a trade group for medical marijuana businesses.
Executive Director of the group, Bud Scott stated most medical cannabis products available in other states would also be deemed illegal under the new rules.
New Health Solutions Oklahoma called on the governor to reject the additional rules, or if she doesn’t, for the legislature to hold a special session, “to ensure SQ788 is implemented as voters intended and expected it to be.”
The Oklahoma Health Department has been receiving statements since June 26, 2018. The board released a revision of emergency rules on Sunday, ahead of Tuesday’s meeting.
What’s Next?
Oklahomans for Health, the group that spearheaded the petition drive to get State Question 788 on the ballot, worked very closely with the health department in revising the emergency rules.
The group stated it agrees with most of the rules, but says there are some big issues, including the limit on THC content.
Oklahomans for Health’s, Chip Paul, said, “Most of the marijuana strains run between 15 and 25 percent THC, so that’s pretty standard average.” He went on to further state, “Again that is not something we want to regulate. That’s something nature determines about a plant. Let’s identify it properly, give you the proper data to ensure your safety- let’s not cap it.”
medicinal marijuana as an alternative to prescription opiates.
Conclusion:
There are several medical organizations, including the Oklahoma State Medical Association, that say they want a pharmacist to be on site in dispensaries, a limit on the number and location of dispensaries, and they do not want smokable products being sold to the public.
Dr. Leroy Young, D.O, of the Oklahoma Osteopathic Association said, “In these forms the products contain hundreds of unknown chemicals-all of which can pose health hazards to both smokers and those around.”