Oklahoma approves 200,000 patient requests for medical cannabis

L’Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, Oklahoma’s medical cannabis regulatory authority, has approved the applications of 200,000 state residents eligible for medical cannabis since August 2018—an average of 3,500 patients per week (more than the future French medical cannabis trial (over 2 years).

Under State Question 788, which legalized the medical use of cannabis in Oklahoma, adults with a medical condition may apply for a medical card to access medical cannabis after receiving a recommendation from their doctor. The medical card entitles the holder to:

• 3 ounces of cannabis (84 grams) in one's possession
• 225 grams of cannabis at home
• 28 grams of concentrates
• 2 kilograms of edibles
• 6 plants in bloom and 6 growing

Patients may use cannabis anywhere where tobacco is permitted, and the edibles may be consumed anywhere except on federal property.

After a few regulatory twists and turns, new regulations regarding medical cannabis took effect last month in the state, including requirements for tracking seeds through to sale, rules prohibiting doctors from issuing recommendations at a dispensary, and others prohibiting municipalities from banning the sale of medical cannabis, as well as language explicitly authorizing patients to possess a firearm.

7,000 licenses for professionals

The cannabis industry is no exception. During the same period, more than 7,000 licenses were granted to cannabis companies. Of these, 4,300 were for cultivation businesses, 1,200 for processing operations, and 1,900 for dispensaries.

Sales of medical cannabis are expected to reach between 140 and 180 million dollars in the first full year, significantly exceeding estimates. Prior to legalization, state officials estimated that approximately 80,000 patients—about 2% of the state’s estimated population—would register during the first year of the legal medical cannabis program.