Oklahoma legislators targeting medical marijuana rules with new bills

With the legislative session starting in a month, two bills have been filed by Oklahoma lawmakers on regulating medical marijuana.Get the latest news stories of interest by clicking here.One of the bills targets the amount someone could legally buy in a week, and the other aims to regulate advertising at dispensaries across the state.“We have had so many patients over time who have told us they’ve gotten off of hardcore pain killers, even fentanyl, and they’ve stopped using it, and cannabis has changed their lifestyle entirely,” said Corbin Wyatt, owner of Likewise Cannabis.Exactly one month before the start of the new session, state Sen. George Burns’ SB 320 proposes capping weekly purchase amounts of medical marijuana at 2.5 ounces.“A lot of patients have come to rely on a full three ounces of flower for medication,” Wyatt said.Currently, Oklahoma law allows licensed patients to possess 3 ounces of medical cannabis, but if the bill is passed, it would limit the amount a person can buy. Wyatt told KOCO 5 that he sees the bill as an attempt to keep medical marijuana from ending up on the black market but doesn’t think it will work.“There are many other ways of doing that than introducing what seems like arbitrary purchase amounts,” Wyatt said.>> Download the KOCO 5 AppAnother bill introduced this week, SB 191, is authored by state Sen. Dusty Deevers and focuses on medical marijuana advertising. The bill says any advertising that says marijuana is safe or harmless should be unlawful, and it also mentions certain types of advertising that would be illegal for dispensaries.“Looking at things like no flashing signs, no flags or banners, or tube men,” Wyatt said.The bill does not mention “tube men” specifically, but also includes the language, “any manner or design that would be especially appealing to children or other persons under 18 years of age.”“In reality, we should just be educating them on what it actually is, and when to, and when not to use it,” Wyatt said.KOCO 5 reached out to Burns and Deevers for comment on Friday but did not hear back. The legislative session starts Feb. 3.Top HeadlinesInvestigation underway after body found on side of southwest Oklahoma City roadTIMELINE: Snow, wintry mix possible as arctic blast hits Oklahoma this weekendThe College Football Playoff semifinals are setA solar eclipse will be visible in 2025. Here’s what you need to knowPerson taken to hospital after wrong-way crash on I-44 in northwest Oklahoma City