This op-ed accurately sums up several of the pros and cons of Oklahoma’s booming cannabis market. Where it falls short is highlighting the multi-billion dollar economic impact resulting from the legal medical marijuana industry in Oklahoma. Previously dormant and dying communities across this state have received a substantial injection of life as dispensaries fill boarded up downtown storefronts, unparalleled property acquisitions drive up values in urban, suburban and rural communities, and non-cannabis businesses stay busier than they have in decades (good luck finding quality electricians, HVAC specialists, plumbers, and contractors who aren’t backlogged with cannabis projects). We are very proud of the growth and impact of Oklahoma’s cannabis industry, but there’s still a long way to go towards building the most ideal cannabis program in the nation. One correction to this piece: on-site cannabis consumption is NOT allowed at bars. An Oklahoma liquor license may be revoked for allowing a state or federal crime to be committed upon the licensed premises. Cannabis remains illegal at the federal level and on-site consumption at a licensed liquor premises remains very much impermissible according to the Oklahoma Alcoholic Beverage Law Enforcement (ABLE) Commission. We encourage all businesses engaged in cannabis in Oklahoma to participate in the effort to educate our community on the diverse cannabis industry and the never-ending fight to continue building the most attractive cannabis program/market in the nation by becoming involved in the oldest, largest, and most engaged cannabis chamber of commerce in Oklahoma, the Oklahoma Cannabis Industry Association, who provided the funding for and ran the campaign to legalize medical marijuana in Oklahoma. Our industry and program will only achieve its real potential through active engagement of the thousands of enterprises comprising Oklahoma’s cannabis industry. Reply
Thank you for the insight and clarification. Agreed there are many promising aspects of Oklahoma’s market and I look forward to what the future holds. Reply