Oklahoma medical marijuana dispensaries up and running

Oklahoma, which only seven months ago approved medical marijuana possession, growing and sales, is getting up to speed. Many dispensaries are advertising availability on smartphone apps.

According to media, medical marijuana sales reached nearly $1 million in December. With the number of approved patients, growers and dispensaries increasing weekly, availability is expected to grow quickly as plants that were started when growth became legal are just coming to maturity.

Prices at dispensaries currently range around $10 to $15 per gram. There are 28.35 grams in an ounce, making an ounce a pricey $280 to $425. Prices are expected to decline as supply increases.

Dispensaries are not limited to metropolitan areas. Many small towns and cities have dispensaries open or in the planning stage.

Contrasting the success in Oklahoma with some other states is impressive. Arkansas, where voters approved medical marijuana in 2016, has yet to see legal sales. Some enterprising folks are opening dispensaries in towns near the Arkansas border.

Oklahoma will issue temporary patient licenses to people from out of state. Arkansas authorities have warned would be purchasers that the product is not yet legal in Arkansas. In addition, transporting it across state lines apparently runs afoul of federal law.

In a state where many thought the process would be slow, the progress in Oklahoma has impressed many users. Licenses are issued or refused within 15 days according to the law passed in June. As of January 14, 39,571 patient applications and 2,957 business applications have been received. 30,835 patient licenses have been approved, and 848 dispensaries are set to go.

The Oklahoma City School District board of education approved the use of medical marijuana product, not including smokeable product, by students who have a license. The product would be administers in a separate location. Smokeable weed isn’t allowed because smoking anything is banned on school campuses.

With the legislature opening in February, lawmakers are busy filing bills. One state senator has filed a bill that would allow “county option” on marijuana businesses, so the controversy over medical cannabis will continue, despite the overwhelming passage of State Question 788, which made medical marijuana legal in Oklahoma.

Copyright The Gayly – January 17, 2019 @ 4:20 p.m. CST.