Req. No. 348 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 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 OF OKLAHOMA 1st Session of the 59th Legislature (2023) SENATE BILL 437 By: Garvin AS INTRODUCED An Act relating to medical marijuana; amending 63 O.S. 2021, Section 427.10, as amended by Section 12, Chapter 251, O.S.L. 2022 (63 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 427.10), which relates to p hysicians who may provide a recommendation; directing creation of certain registry; requiring registr ation by physicians; requiring compliance with medical education and continuing medical education requi rements; directing promulgation of certain rules in consultation with specified boards; amending Section 3, Chapter 328, O.S.L. 2022 (63 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 427.14b) , which relates to credentials required fo r employees to work in licensed medical ma rijuana business; requiring dispensary employees to comply with education and continuing education requirements; directing promulgation of certain rules; and providing an effective date . BE IT ENACTED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF OKLAHOMA: SECTION 1. AMENDATORY 63 O.S. 2021, Section 427.10, as amended by Section 12, Chapter 251, O.S.L. 2022 (63 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 427.10), is amended to read as follows: Section 427.10. A. Only licensed Oklahoma allopathic, osteopathic and podiatric physicians may provide a medical marijuana recommendation for a medical marijuana patient license u nder the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act. Req. No. 348 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 B. A physician who has not completed his or her first residency shall not meet the definition of “physician” under this section and any recommendation for a medical marijuana patient license shall not be processed by the Authority. C. No physician shall be subject to arrest, prosecution or penalty in any manner or denied any right or privilege under state, municipal or county sta tute, ordinance or resolution, including without limitation a civil penalty or disciplinary action by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners , the Board of Podiatric Medical Examiners or by any other business, occupation or professional licensing board or bureau, solely for providing a medical marijuana recommendation for a patient or for monitoring, treating or prescribing scheduled medication to patient s who are medical marijuana licensees. The provisions of this subsection shall not prevent the relevant professional licensing boards from sanctioning a physician for failing to properly evaluate the medical condition of a patient or for otherwise violati ng the applicable physician-patient standard of care. D. A physician who recommends use of medical mari juana shall not be located at the same physical address as a licensed medical marijuana dispensary. E. If the physician determines the continued use of medical marijuana by the patient no longer meets the requirements set forth Req. No. 348 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 in the Oklahoma Medical Mar ijuana and Patient Protection Act, the physician shall notify the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and the license shall be immediately void ed without right to an individual proceeding . F. The Authority shall create and maintain a registry of recommending physicians. Beginning January 1, 2025, to be eligible to provide a medical marijuana recommendatio n to a licensed patient , a physician shall be registered with the Authority . G. To be registered with the Authority, a physician shall comply with the medical education and continuing medical education requirements described in subsection H of this section and shall meet all other requirements established by law or rule for recommending physicians . H. The Executive Director of the Authority shall promulgate rules to establish medical education and continuing medical education requirements for recommending physicians. In promulgating such rules, the Executive Director shall consult with the S tate Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision, the State Board of Osteopathic Examiners, and the Board of Podiatric Medical Exam iners, and the Executive Director may consult with associations representing licensees of such boards. SECTION 2. AMENDATORY Section 3, Chap ter 328, O.S.L. 2022 (63 O.S. Supp. 2022, Section 427.14b), is amended to read as follows: Req. No. 348 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Section 427.14b. A. 1. Beginning January 1, 2024, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana A uthority shall require employees of a medical marijuana business licensee to apply for and receive a credential authorizing the employee to wor k in a licensed medical marijuana business. 2. Beginning January 1, 2025, to be eligible for such credential, employees of medical marijuana dispensaries shall comply with the education and continuing education requirements described in subsection G of this section and shall meet all other requirements established by law or rule for employees of a medical marijuana business licensee. B. The Authority may contract with one or more third-party vendors to provide the credentialing services necessary to carry out the provisions of this section. C. The Authority shall determine the services to be provided by such third-party vendor and shall establish costs and prices. If contracted for credentialing services, a third-party vendor shall on behalf of the Authority conduct the background checks and verify eligibility and suitability for any employees of a medical marijuana business license holder to obtain a credential . D. Upon successful completion by the third -party vendor of the statutorily required backgro und checks and verificatio n of eligibility and suitability for a n employee, the third-party vendor shall issue a credential to the employee. The results of background Req. No. 348 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 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 checks and verificat ions shall be provided to the Authority by the third-party vendor. E. If the third-party vendor determines that an employee of a medical marijuana business holder does not meet the minimum statutory requirements for a credential, the applicant or employee shall have no recourse against the third-party vendor but may appe al such adverse determination to the Authority. F. The third-party vendor shall not be civilly liable to an applicant, licensee, or employee of a licensee for any acts taken in good-faith compliance with the pr ovisions of Section 420 et seq. of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana and Patient Protection Act and the rules promulgated by th e Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. G. 1. The Executive Director of the Authority may promulgate rules to implement the provisions of this section. 2. Such rules shall include, but not be limited to , education and continuing education requirements for employees of medical marijuana dispensaries . SECTION 3. This act shall become effective January 1, 2024. 59-1-348 DC 1/17/2023 9:28:59 AM