Oklahoma Marijuana Laws
Oklahoma marijuana laws have changed a lot in recent years, and residents of this state have more access to medical cannabis and marijuana products than in many other parts of the US. However, there are still some restrictions in place among Oklahoma cannabis laws, and this guide will cover all you need to know on the subject.
Is Marijuana Legal in Oklahoma?
Medical marijuana’s legalized in Oklahoma, allowing people to use cannabis products to ease the symptoms of various health conditions. However, while the Oklahoma medical marijuana laws are relatively relaxed, Oklahoma recreational marijuana laws are still quite strict; any recreational use of marijuana in this state is illegal.
Is Medical Marijuana Legal?
Yes, Oklahoma medical cannabis laws state that the usage of medical cannabis is allowed in this state. This is all thanks to developments that began back in 2015, leading up to a 2018 referendum on the subject of legalizing medical marijuana. The referendum passed and Oklahoma became the 30th state to allow the medical use of marijuana for its citizens.
To access medical cannabis in Oklahoma, patients must have a valid recommendation from a licensed medical marijuana doctor.
Is Recreational Marijuana Legal?
No, at this time, Oklahoma marijuana laws state that recreational usage of cannabis is still illegal in this state. There was a 2022 initiative called Oklahoma State Question 820 that would have allowed for the legal purchase and usage of cannabis in Oklahoma for recreational purposes. This went to a vote in March of 2023 but was overwhelmingly rejected by the state’s voters.
The History of Marijuana Laws in Oklahoma
The history of Oklahoma cannabis laws begins back in the 1930s. It was then, in 1933 specifically, that Oklahoma decided to ban the drug’s usage state-wide, following a general trend across the nation that involved many other states banning cannabis at the time due to fears and misconceptions about its usage.
The legal situation for marijuana in Oklahoma didn’t change in any major way until 2015. It was then that the state’s governor signed House Bill 2154 into action, allowing for the sale of low-THC (0.3%) CBD oil. This led to a surging CBD oil boom in the state, with many patients using CBD to treat their health conditions.
Oklahoma cannabis regulations then took an even more drastic turn in the years that followed, as a new initiative was put into place to legalize medical cannabis across the state. After some back and forth on the subject, it eventually went to a public vote in the form of State Question 788. This passed with 57% of the vote, ensuring that the state had to create a program for licensed medical marijuana patients in the 30 days that followed.
The state went on to form the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority in the latter part of 2018, allowing people with a Medical Marijuana License to possess up to 3oz of marijuana and several plants, along with edibles and concentrates.
In 2022 a further legalization initiative was put forward in the form of State Question 820, which asked voters to decide on whether recreational cannabis should be legalized in the state. This went to a vote on March 7 of 2023, with voters deciding against the initiative.
Oklahoma Marijuana Laws
In this section, we’ll examine how Oklahoma marijuana laws regard various marijuana-related activities such as possession of cannabis products and the sale or purchase of those products.
Possession & Purchase
In Oklahoma, the laws regarding possession will depend on whether the individual in question has a Medical Marijuana License or not. Those with a license are able to have up to 3oz of marijuana on their person, along with 1oz of concentrates, 8oz in their home, and 72oz of edibles. However, those without a patient license are not allowed to have any quantity of marijuana on their person and can be charged and sentenced to up to a year in jail if caught with any amount. The sale of marijuana is a more serious offense and can receive harsher punishments.
How Much Can I Buy and Possess?
In the state of Oklahoma, any adult in possession of a medical card can buy and possess up to 3oz of marijuana on their person at a time. They can also have up to 8oz in their home.
Where Can I Obtain Cannabis?
You can buy cannabis in Oklahoma from any of the many medical cannabis dispensaries located around the state. Thanks to its medical marijuana program, Oklahoma has quite a lot of dispensaries.
Who Can Legally Purchase Cannabis in Oklahoma?
Any adult with a medical license or card can buy cannabis in the state of Oklahoma. Those without a card are unable to legally buy or use cannabis in this state.
Home Cultivation
Home cultivation of marijuana plants is illegal in Oklahoma, except for medical patients with medical licenses. If you have a license, you’re allowed to grow up to six mature plants in your home, along with six seedling plants.
Reciprocity
Oklahoma will recognize out-of-state medical cannabis cards, so visitors from other states should be able to legally purchase medical cannabis in this state from one of its dispensaries.
Consumption
Oklahoma marijuana laws mean that medically licensed patients can consume cannabis, while those without a medical reason are not allowed to do so.
Where Can I Safely Consume Cannabis?
If you don’t have a license, you can’t consume cannabis anywhere in Oklahoma. If you do have a medical license, it’s legal to consume it in any location that allows for smoking in general. Edibles can be consumed anywhere at all.
Qualifying Patients
Many states with medical cannabis programs have a specific list of qualifying conditions that allow you to obtain a medical card. However, the situation is a little different in Oklahoma. This state doesn’t have a published list of qualifying conditions. Instead, it looks at patients on a case-by-case basis and will allow anyone to access medical marijuana if their doctor feels it is appropriate.
Transportation
If you have a license, you can carry up to 3oz of weed at a time, along with 72oz of edibles.
Driving
It is illegal to drive after using marijuana in the state of Oklahoma, even if you have a medical card.
Expungement
It may be possible to have weed-related convictions expunged from your record after a certain amount of time has passed and the sentence has been served, but this will vary on a case-by-case basis. The state’s Attorney General Gentner Drummond has supported the idea of an expanded record expungement program.
How to Obtain a Medical Card?
Getting an Oklahoma medical marijuana card is easy to do online with just a few quick and easy steps.
Overall, while recreational cannabis in Oklahoma continues to be illegal and doesn’t show much hope of being legalized soon, the state’s medical marijuana program is one of the most generous and easy for patients to access.
