ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED HOUSE AMENDME NT TO ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO . 1704 By: Paxton of the Senate and Lowe (Dick) of the House [ medical marijuana - monitoring and disciplinary actions - scope of penalties - inaccurate or fraudulent reporting - effective date ] AMENDMENT NO. 1. Strike the stricken title, enacting clause, and entire bill and insert: "An Act relating to medical marijuana; amending 63 O.S. 2021, Section 427.6, which relates to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act; clarifying penalties for certain unlawful acts; increasing fine amounts; authorizing the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to revoke licenses under certain circumstances; and providing an effective date. BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 427.6, as last amended by Section 11, Chapter 553, O.S.L . 2021, is amended to read as follows: Section 427.6 A. The State Department o f Health shall address issues related to the medical marijuana program in Oklahoma ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 including, but not limited to, monitoring and disciplinary a ctions as they relate to the medica l marijuana program. B. 1. The Department or its designee may perform on -site inspections or investigations of a licensee or applicant for any medical marijuana business license , research facility, education facility or waste disposal facility to determine compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations or submissions made pursuant to this section. The Department may enter the licensed premises of a medical marijuana business , research facility, education facilit y or waste disposal facility licensee or applicant to assess or monitor compliance or ensure qualifications for l icensure. 2. Post-licensure inspections shall be limited to twice per calendar year. However, investigations and additional inspections may occur when the Department believes an investigation or additional inspection is ne cessary due to a possible violation of applicable laws, rules or regulat ions. The State Commissioner of Health may adopt rules imposing penalties including, but not limited to, monetary fines and suspension o r revocation of licensure for failure to allow the Authority reasonable access to the licensed premises for purposes of conducting an inspection. 3. The Department may review relevant records of a licensed medical marijuana business, licensed medical marijuana research facility, licensed medical marij uana education facility or licensed medical marijuana waste disposal fac ility, and may require and ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 conduct interviews with such persons or entities and persons affiliated with such entities, for the purpose of determining compliance with Department require ments and applicable laws , rules and regulations. 4. The Department may refer complaints alleging criminal activity that are made against a licensee to appropriate Oklahoma state or local law enforcement auth orities. C. Disciplinary action may be taken a gainst an applicant or licensee for not adhering to applicable laws pursuant to the terms, conditions and guidelines set forth in the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Pr otection Act. D. Disciplinary actions may include revocation, suspension or denial of an application, license or final authorization and other action deemed appropriate by the Department. E. Disciplinary actions may be imposed upon a medical marijuana business licensee for: 1. Failure to comply with or satisfy any provision o f applicable laws, rules or regulat ions; 2. Falsification or misrepresentation of any material or information submitted to the Department or other licensees; 3. Failing to allow or impeding entry by authorized representatives of the Department; 4. Failure to adhere to any acknowledgem ent, verification or other representation made to the Department; ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5. Failure to submit or disclose information required b y applicable laws, rules or regulations or otherwise requested by the Department; 6. Failure to correct any violation of this secti on cited as a result of a review or audit of fina ncial records or other materials; 7. Failure to comply with requested access by the Department to the licensed premises or materials; 8. Failure to pay a required monetary penalty; 9. Diversion of medical marijuana or any medical marijuana product, as determined by the Department; 10. Threatening or harming a medical marijuana patient licensee, caregiver licensee, a medical practitioner or an employee of the Department; and 11. Any other basis indicating a violation of the applicable laws and regulations as identified by the Department. F. Disciplinary actions against a licensee may include the imposition of monetary penalties, which m ay be assessed by the Department. The Department may suspend or revoke a license for failure to pay any monetary penal ty lawfully assessed by the Department against a licensee. G. Penalties In addition to any other penalties prescribed by law, penalties for sales or, purchases, or transfers for value of medical marijuana by a medical marijuana business or employees or agents of the medical marijuana busin ess to persons other than those ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 allowed by law occurring within any two-year time period may include an initial administrative fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for a first violation and a an administrative fine of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for any subsequent violation occurring within any two-year time frame. 1. Penalties for grossly inaccurate or fraudulent reporting occurring within any two-year time period may include an initial administrative fine of Five Thousand Dol lars ($5,000.00) for a first violation and a an administrative fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for any subsequent violation occurring within any two-year time frame. 2. After investigation by the Authority, the Authority may revoke the license of any person d irectly involved with the diversion of marijuana. 3. If the Authority, after investigation, can show by a preponderance of the evidence a pattern of diversion or negligence leading to diversion, the Authori ty shall revoke the bus iness licenses associated with the diversion and any entity with common ownership. 4. The medical marijuana business may be subject to a revocation of any license granted purs uant to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patien t Protection Act upon a showing that the violation was willful or grossly negligent second incident of ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 grossly inaccurate or fraudulent reporting in a ten -year period by the business or any employee or agent thereof. H. 1. First offense for intentional and impermissible diversion of medical marijuana, concentr ate, or products by a patient or caregiver to an unauthorized person shall not be punished under a criminal statute but may be subject to a fine of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). 2. The second offense for impermissible diversion of medical marijuana, concentrate, or products by a patient or caregiver to an unauthorized person shall not be punished under a crimina l statute but may be subject to a fine of not to exceed Five Hundred Doll ars ($500.00) and may result in revocation of the license upon a showing that the violation was willful or grossly negligent. I. The intentional diversion of medical marijuana, medic al marijuana concentrate or medical marijuana products by a licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or employee of a medical marijuana business to an unauthorized minor person who the licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or employee of a medical marijuan a business knew or reasonably should have known to be a minor person shall be subject to a cite and release citation and, upon a finding of guilt or a plea of no contest, a fine of Tw o Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). For a second or subsequent offense, the licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 marijuana business or employee of a medical marijuana business shall be subject to a cite and release citation an d, upon a finding of guilt or a plea of no contest, a fine of Five Thousa nd Dollars ($5,000.00) and automatic termination of the medical marijuana license. J. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the criminal prosecution, after the presen tation of evidence and a finding beyond a reasonable doubt, of a licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or em ployee of a medical marijuana business who has diverted medical marijuana, medical marijuana concentrate or me dical marijuana products to an unauthorized person with the intent or kno wledge that the unauthorized person was to engage in the distribution or trafficking of medical marijuana, medical marijuana concentrate or medical marijuana products. K. In addition to any other remedies provided for by law, the Department, pursuant to its rules and regulations, may issue a written order to any licensee the D epartment has reason to believe has violated Sections 420 through 426.1 of this title, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Waste Management Act, or any rules promulgated by the State Commissioner of Hea lth and to whom the Department has served, not less than thirty (30) days previously, a written notice of violation of such statutes or rules. ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 1. The written order shall state with s pecificity the nature of the violation. The Department may impose any disciplinary action authorized under the provisions of this section including, but not limited to, the assessmen t of monetary penalties. 2. Any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall become a final order unless, not more than thirty (30) days after the order is served to the licensee, the licensee requests an administrative hearing in accorda nce with the rules and regulations of the Department. Upon such request, the Department shall promptly initiate administrative proceedings. L. Whenever the Department finds that an emergency exists requiring immediate action in order to protect the healt h or welfare of the public, the Department may issue an order, without pr oviding notice or hearing, stating the existence of said emergency and requiring that action be taken as the Department deems necessary to meet the emergency. Such action may include , but is not limited to, ordering the licensee to immediately cease and d esist operations by the licensee. The order shall be effective immedia tely upon issuance. Any person to whom the order is directed shall comply immediately with the provisions of th e order. The Department may assess a penalty not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per day of noncompliance with the order. In assessing such a penalty, the Department shall consider the seriousness of the violation and any efforts to comply wi th applicable requirements. Upon ENGR. H. A. to ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 9 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 application to the Department, the lice nsee shall be offered a hearing within ten (10) days of the issuance of the order. M. All hearings held pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with the Oklahoma Administrati ve Procedures Act. SECTION 2. This act shall be come effective November 1, 2022. " Passed the House of Representatives the 27th day of April, 2022. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives Passed the Senate the ____ day of ____ ______, 2022. Presiding Officer of the Senate ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 ENGROSSED SENATE BILL NO. 1704 By: Paxton of the Senate and Lowe (Dick) of the House [ medical marijuana - monitoring and disciplinary actions - scope of penalties - inaccurate or fraudulent reporting - effective date ] BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 3. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 427.6, as last amended by Secti on 11, Chapter 553, O.S.L . 2021, is amended to read as follows: Section 427.6. A. The State Department o f Health shall address issues related to the medical m arijuana program in Oklahoma including, but not limited to, monitoring and disciplinary actions as they relate to the medica l marijuana program. B. 1. The Department or its designee may perform on -site inspections or investigations of a licensee or appli cant for any medical marijuana business license , research facility, education facility or waste disposal facility to determine compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations or submissions made pursuant to this section. The Department may enter t he licensed premises of a medical marijuana business , research facility, education facility ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 2 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 or waste disposal facility licensee or applicant to assess or monitor compliance or ensure qualifications for l icensure. 2. Post-licensure inspections shall be limited to twice per calendar year. However, investigations and additional inspections may occur when the Department believes an investigation or additional inspection is necessary due to a possible violation of applicable laws, rules or regulations . The State Commissioner of Health may adopt rules imposing penalties including, but not limited to, monetary fines and suspension o r revocation of licensure for failure to allow the Authority reasonable access to the licensed premises for purposes of conducting a n inspection. 3. The Department may review relevant records of a licensed medical marijuana busi ness, licensed medical marijuana research facility, licensed medical marijuana education facility or licensed medical marijuana waste disposal facility , and may require and conduct interviews with such persons or entities and persons affiliated with such e ntities, for the purpose of determining compliance with Department re quirements and applicable laws , rules and regulations. 4. The Department may refer complaints alleging criminal activity that are made against a licensee to appropriate Oklahoma state or local law enforcement auth orities. C. Disciplinary action may be ta ken against an applicant or licensee for not adhering to applicable laws pursuant to the terms, ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 conditions and guidelines set forth i n the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protectio n Act. D. Disciplinary actions may include revocation, suspension or denial of an application, license or final authorization and other action deemed appropri ate by the Department. E. Disciplinary actions may be imposed upon a medical marijuana business licensee for: 1. Failure to comply with or satisfy any provision o f applicable laws, rules or regulat ions; 2. Falsification or misrepresentation of any mater ial or information submitted to the Department or other licensees; 3. Failing to allow or impedi ng entry by authorized representatives of the Department; 4. Failure to adhere to any acknowledgem ent, verification or other representation made to the Depart ment; 5. Failure to submit or disclose information required b y applicable laws, rules or regulat ions or otherwise requested by the Department; 6. Failure to correct any violation of this secti on cited as a result of a review or audit of financial records or other materials; 7. Failure to comply with requested access by the Department to the licensed premises or materials; 8. Failure to pay a required monetary penal ty; ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 4 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 9. Diversion of medical marijuana or any medical marijuana product, as determined by the Department; 10. Threatening or harming a medical marijuana patient licensee, caregiver licen see, a medical practitioner or an employee of the Department; and 11. Any other basis indicating a violation of the applicable laws and regulations as identif ied by the Department. F. Disciplinary actions against a licensee may include the imposition of monetary penalties, which m ay be assessed by the Department. The Department may suspend or revoke a license for failure to pay any monetary penalty lawfully a ssessed by the Department against a licensee. G. Penalties for sales or, purchases or transfers of medical marijuana by a medical marijuana business or employees or agents of the medical marijuana busin ess to persons other than those allowed by law occurring within any two-year one-year time period may include an initial fine of One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) for a first violation a nd a fine of Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) Fifteen Thousand Dollars ($15,000.00) for any subsequent violation . Penalties for grossly inaccurate or fraudulent reporting occurring with in any two-year time period may include an initial fine of Five Thous and Dollars ($5,000.00) for a first violation and a fine of Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) for any subsequent violation . The medical marijuana ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 5 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 business may shall be subject to a revoc ation of any license granted pursuant to the Oklahoma Medical Marijua na and Patient Protection Act upon a showing that the violation was willful or grossly negligent second violation of the business or any e mployee or agent thereof. H. 1. First offense for intentional and impermissible diversion of medical marijuana, conc entrate, or products by a patient or caregiver to an unauthorized person shall not be punished under a criminal statute but may be subject to a fine of Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00). 2. The second offense for impermissible diversion of medical marijuana, concentrate, or products by a patient or caregiver to an unauthorized person sh all not be punished under a criminal statute but may be subject to a fine of not to exceed Five Hundred Doll ars ($500.00) and may result in revocation of the license upon a show ing that the violation was willful or grossly negligent. I. The intentional diversion of medical marijuana, medical marijuana concentrate or medical marijuana products by a licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or employee of a medical marijuan a business to an unauthorized minor person who the licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or employee of a medical marijuan a business knew or reasonably should have known to be a minor person shall be subject to a cite and release citation and, upon a finding ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 6 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 of guilt or a plea of no contest, a fine of Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($2,500.00). For a second or subsequent offense, the licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business or empl oyee of a medical marijuana business shall be subject to a cite and release citation and, upon a finding of guilt or a plea of no contest, a fine of Five Thousa nd Dollars ($5,000.00) and automatic termination of the medical marij uana license. J. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prevent the criminal prosecution, after the presentation of evidence and a finding beyond a reasonable doubt, of a licensed medical marijuana patient or caregiver, medical marijuana business o r employee of a medical marijuana business who has diverted medical marijuana, medical marijuana concentrate or medical marijuana products to an unauthorized person with the intent or kno wledge that the unauthorized person was to engage in the distribution or trafficking of medical marijuana, medical marijuana concentrate or medical marijuana products. K. In addition to any other remedies p rovided for by law, the Department, pursuant to its rules and regulations, may issue a written order to any licensee t he Department has reason to believe has violated Sections 420 through 426.1 of this title, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Prot ection Act, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Waste Management Act, or any rules promulgated by the ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 7 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 State Commissioner of Health and to whom the Dep artment has served, not less than thirty (30) days p reviously, a written notice of violation of such statutes o r rules. 1. The written order shall state with s pecificity the nature of the violation. The Department may impose an y disciplinary action authorized under the provisions of this section including , but not limited to, the assessment of monetary penalties. 2. Any order issued pursuant to the provisions of this section shall become a final order unless, not more than thir ty (30) days after the order is served to the licensee, the licensee requests a n administrative hearing in accordance with the rules and r egulations of the Department. Upon such request, the Department shall promptly initiate administrative proceedings. L. Whenever the Department finds that an emergency exists requiring immediate a ction in order to protect the health or welfare of the public, the Department may issue an order, without pr oviding notice or hearing, stating the existence of said emergency an d requiring that action be taken as the Department deems necessary to meet the emergency. Such action may include, but is not limited to, ordering the licensee to immediately cease and d esist operations by the licensee. The order shall be effective immed iately upon issuance. Any person to whom the order is directed shall comply immediately with the provisions of the order . The Department may assess a penalty not to exceed Ten Thousand Dollars ($10,000.00) per ENGR. S. B. NO. 1704 Page 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 day of noncompliance with the order . In assessing such a penalty, the Department shall consider the seriousness of the vio lation and any efforts to comply with applicable requiremen ts. Upon application to the Department, the lice nsee shall be offered a hearing within ten (10) days of the issuance of the order. M. All hearings held pursuant to this section shall be in accordance with the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act. SECTION 4. This act shall be come effective November 1, 2022. Passed the Senate the 23rd day of March, 2022. Presiding Officer of the Senat e Passed the House of Representatives the ____ day of __________, 2022. Presiding Officer of the House of Representatives