March 21, 2023
By News Director Jared Atha
Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised state legislators today for approving a trio of measures aimed at addressing the rise of illegal marijuana grow operations in Oklahoma. The bills have passed their legislative chamber of origin and are now headed for the opposite chamber.
Two of those bills was authored by local western Oklahoma lawmakers.
The first being Senate Bill 913 by Sen. Darcy Jech (R-Kingfisher) and Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton) which requires all marijuana grow businesses to hold a $50,000 bond that may be recalled if the property has been abandoned; the license has been revoked; or in response to a violation of law, regulation, or ordinance necessitating remedial action. The bond will be used to address any necessary restoration of the property, including removing equipment, destruction of waste, remediation of environmental hazards, prohibiting public access, addressing improper buildings, or determining the final disposition of any seized property.
The second bill praised by Drummond is Senate Bill 806 by Sen. Brent Howard (R-Altus) and Rep. Jon Echols (R-Oklahoma City) which requires documented proof of land ownership of a licensed marijuana grow operation; requires an application to transfer a business license to include the same information required of new licensees; prohibits transfers when a licensee is under investigation; limits transfers to once per year; and prohibits multiple business licenses within the same category to be registered under one address or physical location.
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