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Oklahoma House extends grow-license moratorium and approves cap measure for medical marijuana
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Summary
The House approved two companion medical-marijuana measures: one extends the moratorium on new grow/manufacturing licenses to Aug. 1, 2028, and a second would set a numerical cap/limit for future licensing when the moratorium ends.
The Oklahoma House on Wednesday approved two companion measures aimed at slowing growth in the state’s medical-marijuana industry. Representative Turner said House Bill 31-43 would extend the current moratorium on new grow (manufacturing) licenses from Aug. 1, 2026, to Aug. 1, 2028, and Representative Cornwell said House Bill 31-44 would set a numerical limit for future licensing to keep the market in compliance.
Turner, the floor sponsor of HB 31-43, said the intent is to “control the black market side” and preserve the medical focus of the industry while enforcement and regulatory work continue. He told members Oklahoma has “way more licenses right now” than many long-established cannabis states and that the moratorium targets new grow/manufacturing licenses, not routine activity by existing license holders. “All it does is just go into new licensing,” Turner said when explaining that businesses already in good standing would not be prevented from operating their existing licensed activities.
Members asked several clarifying questions. Representative Pfeiffer confirmed that signage and trail funding for an unrelated bill would be paid privately; Representative Deck sought clarity on whether existing businesses could expand into different licensed sectors and Turner replied the moratorium is focused on grow/manufacturing licensing and does not bar companies with existing grow licenses from obtaining other types of licenses they already hold. Representative Fettgater noted licenses are tradable and on the market; Turner acknowledged there are licenses available for purchase and said the Oklahoma Medical Authority (as cited on the floor, "OMA") currently lists roughly 2,200 active licenses while the registrant side cited about 1,401, a difference the sponsor attributed to multiple license types and inactive shelf licenses.
Cornwell described HB 31-44 as a companion framework “so we can keep them in compliance” once the moratorium is lifted. Both bills were advanced and passed on final readings: HB 31-43 passed (82 aye, 8 nay) and HB 31-44 passed (82 aye, 15 nay), according to the roll-call tallies recorded on the floor.
The measures now proceed to the next steps in the legislative process. The House adjourned to reconvene Feb. 26, 2026.
