Oklahoma’s tightening of its medical marijuana program is not just affecting the number of cultivators, dispensaries and patients.
Oklahoma’s medical marijuana arrangements are hugely popular. But in March 2023 Governor Kevin Stitt stated that the situation was “way out-of-control”; indicating a tightening of regulations and monitoring. The state had 6,975 cannabis growers at that time and 2,893 medical marijuana dispensaries. Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority reports that the number of patients registered was slightly over 368,000. (OMMA) Licensing and Tax Data.
On August 26, 2022 a moratorium was placed on the issuance of new licenses to any dispensary or grower. It will expire August 1, 2026. After a similar crackdown, thousands of illegal and legal businesses were also scrutinised. OMMA must also inspect all businesses annually as required by law.
By August 1, 2025 there will be a dramatic drop in the number and type of cannabis growers, dispensaries, and patients.
State revenue is also down, as the $51 million collected in excise tax by states in FY24 dropped to just $47.5 million for FY25. The state and local taxes amounted to $67.5 million for FY24. This figure dropped to $60.8 million by FY25. Excise proceeds go to OMMA. Any excess money is given away at the Legislature’s discretion. State and local sales tax money goes straight to the state government and city/county – OMMA never touches it.
A report released earlier this year indicated that Oklahoma still had 12 times as many licensed medical marijuana growers than Colorado; even though the number of cultivation licenses in Oklahoma dropped from a record high of 9,178 in 2021 to nearly a third of that figure in 2024 – 3,138. Oklahoma has five times more medical marijuana dispensaries than Colorado, and almost twice as many medical and recreational dispensaries in Colorado.
Although the decline in licenses for business is easy to understand, it is less clear why the numbers of registered patients have decreased. It’s common for medical marijuana programs to suffer a decline in Oklahoma, even when states legalize marijuana for adults.