Oklahoma’s once‑booming medical cannabis sector is facing a harsh reality check. Data from the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) shows licensed grows have fallen from a peak of almost 9,000 to roughly 1,300 – an 85% decline. The drop reflects a concerted effort by the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) and state regulators to eliminate illegal operators that have long hidden behind the state’s free‑market licensing system.
From “Wild West” to regulated frontier
When State Question 788 legalized medical cannabis in 2018, the state opened its doors to anyone who could pay a modest fee and complete paperwork. As Adria Berry, director of OMMA, explained, “Anyone with $2,500 and the paperwork could get a license.” That open‑door policy quickly earned Oklahoma the nickname “Wild West of weed,” attracting both legitimate entrepreneurs and organized‑crime rings.
Mark Woodward, spokesperson for OBN, said the agency has spent years trying to separate the two. “We were the national talk show: ‘TOKElahoma,’ ‘Wild West of weed.’ Anything goes. You pay a nominal fee, prop somebody up as your store owner, here’s your license,” he recalled.
Numbers tell the story
According to OMMA’s dashboard, 1,801 growers were still listed in early September, but Woodward estimates the true number is closer to 1,300. The agency warns the trend will continue until only a small, compliant core remains. “We’re still producing way more cannabis than our medical program can ever handle. Estimates suggest production is 60 times what can be used by card‑holders, with the excess flowing to out‑of‑state black markets,” Woodward said.
Impact on legitimate businesses
Local operators like Zac Kirby, owner of Ponca City Dispensary, Inc., argue the crackdown ultimately benefits honest growers. “There’s absolutely no reason for the number of licenses to be this high. Dispensaries should not outnumber liquor stores or pharmacies,” Kirby said. He added that only about 5% of growers are truly legitimate, underscoring the need for a more disciplined licensing regime.
Kirby also warned that the industry’s reputation suffers when all growers are painted with the same brush. “We’re all being lumped into one category as an illegal criminal organization that creates addiction and needs to be shut down, and that is far from the truth,” he said.
Political pressure and future votes
Governor Kevin Stitt has repeatedly called for a public vote to end the medical cannabis program, labeling it “one of the greatest threats to public safety.” He argues the industry enables cartel activity, human trafficking, and foreign influence. Ending the program would require another statewide ballot, as the original measure was approved by voters in 2018.
Berry, however, disputes any political conspiracy, emphasizing that OMMA is simply doing its job. “The legislature and the governor are not interested in putting barriers to legal businesses. There’s no conspiracy,” she said.
Looking ahead
With the number of licensed growers dwindling, the remaining businesses are focusing on compliance and supply‑demand balance. “Those who have made it this far are watching the market and staying within the rules,” Berry noted.
Both OBN and OMMA say they will continue to target illegal operators while supporting growers who follow state regulations. The hope is that a leaner, law‑abiding industry can still serve Oklahomans who rely on medical cannabis for legitimate health needs.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
