Oklahoma House Bill HB3754

Oklahoma 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/7/22
• Refer: 2/8/22

Caption

Marijuana; creating the Oklahoma Adult Access to Marijuana Act; providing list of acts deemed lawful for consumers; codification; effective date.

Impact

This bill amends existing Oklahoma state laws regarding medical marijuana and introduces new taxation mechanisms for marijuana sales. It imposes a fifteen percent excise tax on all marijuana sales to non-medical patients, with revenue directed to the state’s General Revenue Fund. The bill also reinforces the authority of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, requiring it to create and enforce regulations pertaining to the new adult access licenses, ensuring accountability and proper regulatory compliance among entities involved in the marijuana industry. Additionally, the bill emphasizes the protection of consumer privacy by restricting dispensaries from collecting personal information beyond what is necessary for age verification.

Summary

House Bill 3754, known as the Oklahoma Adult Access to Marijuana Act, is a legislative measure aimed at creating a regulated framework for adult access to marijuana within the state of Oklahoma. The bill establishes definitions related to marijuana and sets forth a range of lawful activities for consumers aged twenty-one and older. This includes the possession, use, sale, and transfer of marijuana and marijuana accessories, while also regulating the conduct of medical marijuana dispensaries. Notably, the act allows dispensaries to sell marijuana to adults who do not hold a medical marijuana patient license and establishes a licensing framework for businesses engaged in the marijuana market.

Contention

The Oklahoma Adult Access to Marijuana Act generates notable points of contention, particularly around the balance of regulatory authority between state and local governments, and the extent to which individual business licenses can be acquired. Some proponents argue that this legislation will reduce illegal market activities and increase state revenue through regulated sales, while opponents may raise concerns over potential public health and safety implications, as well as the possible adverse effects on existing medical marijuana initiatives. Furthermore, provisions allowing employers to enforce strict workplace policies regarding marijuana usage add to the ongoing debate about the intersection of marijuana legalization and employment rights.