OKLAHOMA CITY -- Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin on Monday signed revised rules for medical marijuana in the state.
The rules establish a framework for patients, physicians, caretakers and business owners interested in medical marijuana.
State health officials adopted the rules on Thursday to replace ones adopted on July 10 that were heavily criticized by Oklahoma's attorney general and medical marijuana advocates.
The revised rules passed by the Oklahoma Department of Health eliminated a ban on smokable marijuana and eliminated a requirement for pharmacists to be on hand in dispensaries.
“These rules are very basic, and represent the best option in developing a proper regulatory framework for medical marijuana, with the highest priority given to the health and safety of Oklahomans. These rules do not include the two last-minute amendments to the initial rules that I asked the Board of Health to rescind because the public didn’t have sufficient time to review and comment on them. I appreciate the board’s decision to concur with my request. They also follow the guidelines from the attorney general on staying within the jurisdiction of statute language of State Question 788.
“My approval of these rules moves medical marijuana to the realm of our Legislature. I’m glad the Legislature has a bipartisan group meeting weekly to move the state forward in developing the intent of what the public voted for with the passage of State Question 788 – making marijuana available to Oklahomans who need it solely for medical reasons. There are many opinions on how medical marijuana should be implemented in our state. I encourage vivid discussion to develop policy proposals to make sure we have a medical marijuana regulatory framework in place that improves the health of Oklahomans who are sick and makes the business side work while protecting the safety of Oklahomans.”
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