OMMA advisory council reviews Open Meetings/Open Records rules, files 2025 meeting dates

The newly formed Executive Advisory Council for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority convened in the Capitol Rooms for an organizational meeting to review its statutory responsibilities, public-records obligations and a 2025 meeting schedule.

Executive Director Adria Berry told the two members present that the council’s “primary mission will be to provide advice on recommended changes to state policy, rules, or statutes,” and noted the panel must present an annual report “to the Governor, President Pro Tempore, and Speaker of the House by Nov. 1, 2025.”

The nut of the meeting was a legal briefing from Kristen Siegel of OMMA’s legal team on the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act and the Oklahoma Open Records Act. “I am here to give you an overview of both the Open Meetings Act and the Open Records Act so we can situate ourselves in the work that you’re going to do here, and safeguard… transparency in government,” Siegel said. She reviewed when the Open Meetings Act applies, explained quorum and notice requirements, and described the limited circumstances in which the council may meet in executive session.

Siegel advised that regularly scheduled meetings require notice to the Secretary of State and a publicly posted agenda at least 24 hours before the meeting. She said a special meeting requires 48 hours’ notice and an agenda posted 24 hours before the meeting. Emergency meetings, she said, may be called with as much advance notice as is reasonable when delay would risk injury, property damage or immediate financial loss. She also cautioned that remote participation locations must be identified in meeting notices and be publicly accessible.

On the records side, Siegel said the Open Records Act creates a presumption in favor of disclosure and that OMMA will collect and review responsive records and apply statutory exemptions before producing materials. She listed common exemptions — attorney–client privilege, attorney work product, drivers’ license and medical information, personal financial information, and records of executive sessions — and said personal preparatory notes related to the council’s report may be exempt from production.

Berry and staff also covered meeting mechanics. Votes, when taken on agenda items, must be recorded by member; public comment is allowed only on items listed on the agenda; minutes must be prepared and will serve as the official meeting summary; and electronic communications should not be used to circumvent the Open Meetings Act by conducting deliberations outside a public meeting.

Council logistics and timeline were confirmed: the council has six appointed seats; two members were present at this meeting and the remaining four seats are pending appointment. OMMA staff will send a recording of the meeting to members appointed later so they may be briefed before the next meeting. Because a full slate is not yet appointed, the council did not select a co‑chair; Berry said that will be considered at a future meeting.

Cassie French, OMMA’s executive assistant and meeting organizer, confirmed the following 2025 dates were filed with the Oklahoma Secretary of State and appear on the council’s agenda: Friday, Jan. 17 at 9 a.m.; Friday, April 11 at 9 a.m.; Friday, July 11 at 9 a.m.; and Friday, Oct. 10 at 9 a.m. Berry said the dates were selected to align with the legislative calendar and the agency’s rulemaking timeline.

The meeting concluded without formal votes on policy recommendations; Berry adjourned the session after noting there was not a quorum. Staff indicated they will solicit agenda items by email ahead of the first scheduled meeting on Jan. 17, 2025.