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Due to the vast misunderstanding of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority(OMMA) rules, we decided to address 6 of them. We talked to the public information officer of the Oklahoma Dept. of Health(ODH). She helped us get the real facts. The ODH staff has done all that can be expected, to provide timely and accurate information.
Myth #1: Veterinarians are able to write license recommendations for medical cannabis.
The statutes passed in the initiative petition known as SQ788 stipulated that a physician licensed in Oklahoma to treat people. That language includes the
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Myth #2: Several traveling 'quacks' are setting up fraudulent practices
Very few Oklahoma physicians or pharmacists in good standing are experienced in cannabis medicine treatments. Most of our doctors are going to be practicing on us. Some experienced physicians from other states are likely to see the need for experienced providers of care. This may encourage these professionals to make Oklahoma their new home. It is regrettable that our medical establishment would lump these professionals into a denigration of 'fly by night' hucksters and quacks. It is our hope that Oklahoma patients will have the benefit of the nation's best experts. These specialists need to be regarded with deference and their Oklahoma licensing needs to be expedited.
The statute requires that the physician be someone that a patient has a relationship with. Rules require at least annual follow-up appts.
The statute requires that the physician be someone that a patient has a relationship with. Rules require at least annual follow-up appts.
Myth #3: Only 50 dispensary licenses will be granted for the whole state.
We found no rule in the final document which limits the number of dispensary licenses. I called the Health Dept. public information officer, Jamie Dukes. She said it's the biggest myth she's having to address. Some discussion of this occured at the July 10th OBH meeting, but nothing was added to the final rules.
Myth #4: The rules are permanent
The Board of Health will meet again on August 10th. The discussions at the July 10th meeting indicated that some board members want to follow up on some matters at the August meeting.
It will not be at the state headquarters. It was previously scheduled to be part of a 'workshop' nature. State Open Meeting law still applies, so it will be published 10 days in advance and the agenda will be posted 2 days in advance. The meeting is open to the public.
This board is set to lose their rulemaking authority on January 14th because of the new law enacted by HB3036, which moves that authority to the new office of Commissioner of Health (a governor's appointment).
It will not be at the state headquarters. It was previously scheduled to be part of a 'workshop' nature. State Open Meeting law still applies, so it will be published 10 days in advance and the agenda will be posted 2 days in advance. The meeting is open to the public.
This board is set to lose their rulemaking authority on January 14th because of the new law enacted by HB3036, which moves that authority to the new office of Commissioner of Health (a governor's appointment).
Myth #5: Medical Cannabis products will be for sale on August 25th
No initial supply of cannabis plants is authorized, yet. All growers (commercial and home) must acquire authorized Oklahoma plants. Yet we have no provision for them in the Emergency rules. If they are only available in early September, then real medicine will only be available about 3 months later (November).
It appears that the OMMA will be acquiring or authorizing these plants from either confiscated in-state sources, or in an interstate action which the federal govt. seems to ban. Until the new crops come in, only CBD products are available (and have been for years, in Oklahoma). It may be that a 'Don't Ask - Don't Tell' policy is adopted so that growers have a start-up stock.
It appears that the OMMA will be acquiring or authorizing these plants from either confiscated in-state sources, or in an interstate action which the federal govt. seems to ban. Until the new crops come in, only CBD products are available (and have been for years, in Oklahoma). It may be that a 'Don't Ask - Don't Tell' policy is adopted so that growers have a start-up stock.
Myth #6: You can't own a firearm if you're a Cannabis patient
You cannot pass a federal firearms background application if you truthfully indicate that you're consuming a 'schedule 1' controlled substance. But any confiscation of previously acquired firearms would take a court order with due process , or a new state law. Several known alcoholics currently own and carry firearms. But state law forbids carrying a firearm while under the influence of an impairing substance. The matter is a gray area and only California is enforcing their own new law regarding individuals in mental health counseling whom his counselor is recommending confiscation.
For those who can endure reading govt. regulatory texts, here's the approved set of emergency rules.
