OMMA convenes Executive Advisory Council, reviews open meetings and records rules; no votes taken

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority convened its newly created Executive Advisory Council for a brief organizational meeting during which the agency’s executive and legal staff outlined the council’s advisory role, public-record obligations and the schedule for 2025 meetings. Adria Berry, the OMMA executive director, opened the session and emphasized the group will make recommendations but does not have independent decision-making authority.

"Our primary mission will be to provide advice on recommended changes to state policy, rules, or statutes," Berry said, summarizing the council’s purpose under the enabling legislation. She told members the council is to present a report to the governor, the president pro tempore and the speaker of the House by Nov. 1, 2025, and annually thereafter.

Kristen Stone, the agency’s senior deputy general counsel, gave the council an extended briefing on the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act and the Oklahoma Open Records Act, noting that the statute creating the council (63 O.S. §427.29) "expressly requires that we conduct these council meetings in compliance with both the Oklahoma Open Meetings Act and the Oklahoma Open Records Act." Stone explained key procedural rules: a quorum is a majority of council members, regularly scheduled meetings require agenda posting 24 hours before the meeting and notice to the Secretary of State, special meetings require 48 hours' notice, and executive sessions are allowed only for statutorily permitted purposes such as privileged attorney communications or certain confidential matters.

Stone also advised the council that minutes are the official summary of meetings and that votes on action items must be recorded for each member when a quorum is present. She cautioned that remote participation sites must be publicly accessible and listed in meeting notices and warned members against using private electronic communications to deliberate outside of public meetings.

Two members introduced themselves at the meeting. Katie Nell, a family nurse practitioner, said she will represent "the patients of Oklahoma" and noted her academic background in cannabis therapeutics. Nancy McCumber, who represents a processor in the state, described her facility's safety and manufacturing practices and said, "To my knowledge, we're the only processor in the state of Oklahoma that has that certification," referring to current good manufacturing practices (CGMP) certification.

Berry announced 2025 meeting dates that have been filed with the Secretary of State: Jan. 17, April 11, July 11 and Oct. 10, all at 9 a.m. She asked members to submit agenda items in advance and said Cassie French, OMMA’s executive assistant, will circulate instructions and the meeting recording to incoming appointees so they are prepared for the next session.

Because only two of the council’s six members were in place, no quorum existed and no formal motions or votes were taken. "Since we do not have a quorum of our council, I don't believe I have to call for a motion so I can just adjourn," Berry said, and she adjourned the meeting.

The council’s binder includes the statutory language for House Bill 1349 and related materials; Stone told members that records generated by and about the council are presumptively public but subject to the limited exemptions enumerated in the Open Records Act.

The council is expected to reconvene with additional appointed members at its Jan. 17 meeting, where members plan to discuss legislative priorities and rulemaking timing related to the agency's evolving regulatory responsibilities.