Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer
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OKLAHOMA CITY — A bill that would have allowed dispensaries to deliver medical marijuana to patients stalled in the Senate, but other measures affecting the industry gained traction at the Capitol this year.
Senate Bill 534, as it was introduced in February, would have given people licensed to transport medical marijuana products the authority to deliver them straight from dispensaries to the doorsteps of patients. It was amended so that it would have allowed for delivery only to patients identified as 100% disabled veterans. However, after winning an initial passing vote through the Senate’s Business and Insurance Committee, the measure languished and did not receive a vote by the full Senate in time for it to advance for consideration by the House.
A number of other bills, including one that would have prohibited pregnant women from using medical marijuana products, also fell short of passage either in the Senate or House, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they can’t be revived. Senate President Pro Tem Lonnie Paxton, R-Tuttle, said it’s possible that bills with similar language may still be works in progress in either chamber.
“And remember, this (the legislative session) is a two-year deal, so bills that didn’t get heard are still eligible to be heard next year,” he said.
No fewer than 20 bills addressed medical marijuana patients, businesses, employees or physicians. Among them:
Senate Bill 786 would prohibit consumption of marijuana, even of secondhand smoke, by people while they are driving. It would also prohibit an open container of medical marijuana even in a passenger area of a vehicle. It passed and was sent to the House.
House Bill 1750 would have prohibited the use of marijuana by pregnant women, even those licensed to use it for medical reasons. Some opponents of the measure said medical marijuana can be helpful to women who suffer extreme nausea during pregnancy. It did not receive a vote after being assigned to a committee for consideration.
House Bill 2897 would require dispensaries to post signs reading: “Warning: Ingesting THC products while pregnant is not healthy for the development of an unborn child.” It passed through the House and advanced for consideration by the Senate.
Senate Bill 518 would require marijuana packaging to include a warning: “Marijuana and marijuana products can impair concentration, coordination, and judgment. A person should not operate a motor vehicle while under the influence of marijuana or marijuana products.” It would further warn that driving under the influence could result in criminal prosecution. It earned a do-pass vote in the Senate and advanced to the House.
Senate Bill 39 would make it illegal to carry a firearm while under the influence of medical marijuana, but the bill also would guarantee that handgun licenses could not be denied solely on the basis of a person’s being a medical marijuana patient. It passed and was sent to the House.
Senate Bill 1066 would require doctors who recommend medical marijuana to register with the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and comply with continuing education requirements. Senators supported the measure and referred it for consideration by the House.
House Bill 1163 would decrease the threshold for trafficking of black-market marijuana from 1,000 pounds to 25 pounds. The offense would be punishable by a fine of $100,000 to $500,000. The bill passed and advanced to the Senate.
Senate Bill 640 would extend the allowable distance between schools and new dispensaries or grow operations from 1,000 feet to 3,000 feet. It passed and advanced to the House.
House Bill 2837 would add mandatory training for medical marijuana business employees, including an overview of state statutes and administrative rules, patient privacy requirements, and requirements for safe handling and storage of medical marijuana. It passed and advanced to the Senate.
Senate Bill 1125 proposed to allow cities and counties to create their own excise tax to be collected on medical marijuana sales. Under current law, patients pay state and local sales taxes along with an additional 7% excise tax levied by the state. SB 1125 failed to earn a floor vote.
Senate Bill 320 proposed to limit medical marijuana purchases to 2.5 ounces in a single week. Opponents argued that terminal patients and people suffering from severe pain should not be limited in how much they might purchase. The measure was referred to committee but received no vote.
Senate Bill 643 would have established that people who own licensed medical marijuana businesses cannot reside outside Oklahoma. Current law caps nonresident ownership at 25% of a company. The measure did not receive a committee vote.
Senate Bill 191 would have placed new restrictions on medical marijuana advertising, including the use of “tube men” and flashing signs. It also would have prohibited the advertisement of medical marijuana as safe or harmless for consumption and of certain flavored medical marijuana as a healthier alternative. Additionally, advertising medical marijuana as a way to improve social status, physical appearance or athletic performance would have been prohibited. The measure failed to get a committee vote.
Senate Bill 205 would have authorized creation of a research license “to facilitate the collection, analysis, and monitoring of patient-reported outcomes related to the use of medical marijuana.” It would have allowed licensees to conduct surveys and collect data to analyze the impact of medical marijuana on medical conditions. The initial fee for the license would have been $500. It did not receive a committee vote.
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steve.metzer@tulsaworld.com
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Tulsa World Capitol Bureau Staff Writer
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A new report reflects how the industry, which experienced a rush of entrants following approval of State Question 788 in 2018, contracted in f…
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