Oklahoma Growers To Pay $50K Deposit for License Under New Law

Under new laws in Oklahoma, the cost of growing medical cannabis has increased significantly.

Two Republicans from Oklahoma, Senator Darcy Jeck (R-Kingfisher) and Rep. Anthony Moore (R-Clinton), sponsored a bill imposing a $50,000 bond to obtain a cultivation license. Governor Kevin Still said he signed the bill into law on April 20.

The reason for the bill is a pile of abandoned properties in growth operations that for whatever reason were unsuccessful.

“Our state has a lot of problems with marijuana growing, abandoning land and leaving a huge mess,” said Jech. Said“This sets a $50,000 minimum security amount that can be used to restore a property if it is abandoned or the operation loses its license. By the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) Depending on the reclamation requirements set, a higher bond may be required.Ultimately, this will help clean up valuable farmland damaged by illegal activities, allowing OMMA and other appropriate states to It will allow the agency to recoup the costs associated with the cleanup.”

Senate Bill 913 Cannabis growers are required to purchase a $50,000 bond from the state that acts like a security deposit. If a producer abandons his property, breaks the law or loses his license, the deposit is used to restore property and remedy environmental damage.

6 news report Producers of all kinds will be forced to pay deposits under the new law.

Indoor, greenhouse, or light-deprived medical cannabis cultivation facilities are organized under seven tiers. The largest requires a security deposit of $50,000 plus an additional $250 per acre. Outdoor medical cannabis grow facilities are organized into eight tiers, with even the largest having to pay an additional fee of $250 per acre. increase.

The bill was submitted on January 27th and amended on March 3rd. After being approved by both houses on April 19, it was sent to the governor on April 20.

“This measure would set a minimum bond amount of $50,000.00 per license, but would allow Oklahoma medical marijuana authorities to require higher bond amounts depending on the rehabilitation requirements of an approved application.” I fell in love with it. Billing Summary read.

“The bill would allow commercial cultivation operations to operate without obtaining a security deposit if the agency confirmed that the land granted was owned by the licensee for at least five years prior to the filing of the application. ’ continues the summary. “The bill also authorizes the appropriate agency to recover the bond if the property is abandoned or if the authority revokes the owner’s license. We request that it be used to cover the cost of restoration.”

The bill’s outline states that “no impact is expected,” but producers are unlikely to agree with that assessment. Producers could be forced to pay her over $50,000 if there are also refurbishment requirements.

“Authorities or the Environmental Quality Agency may demand higher amounts depending on the refurbishment requirements of the approved application.”

The deposit will be used to restore the land if the illegal or non-compliant cultivation business is closed.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) says it has closed more than 800 illegal growing operations in the past two and a half years. The problem is serious. According to OBN, the agency surveyed about half of Oklahoma’s licensed growers.

The bill will take effect immediately. “…this Act shall enter into force upon its passage and approval and shall be in full force and effect,” the bill reads.