Many rural lawmakers this year have heard from constituents concerned with the large amounts of land being purchased in rural areas to grow medical marijuana. Much of the land is being sold way over market value for cash, and there’s concern over foreign entities making the purchases.
To help ensure the legality of each license issued to these grow operations, the Legislature this year passed several bills that will increase the number of compliance agents and enforcement officers as well as require on-site inspections of newly licensed facilities and annual inspections thereafter. New laws also give the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Administration greater authority to revoke licenses deemed illegal. Applicants will have to disclose foreign ownership or face license penalties for perjury. Finally, OMMA will be allowed to enter into a mutual agreement with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) so more agents can be hired to investigate and enforce the new laws. OBNDD already has shut down multiple illegal operations.
Oklahoma voters, by the initiative petition process, approved medical marijuana in June 2018, but it has been up to the Legislature to craft regulations to protect consumers and the public. We’re working hard to get a handle on this new and growing industry.
Also recently, we all learned of the Oklahoma Department of Corrections’ decision to close the William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply by year’s end. No area legislators, house or senate, were made aware of this plan prior to the public announcement. This will displace about 140 employees of this minimum-security prison. DOC officials said the number of minimum beds is no longer needed because of sentencing reforms in recent years. I am working with Representatives Newton, Patzkowsky and Humphrey along with Senator Murdock to reverse this decision while considering options for repurposing this valuable state asset in northwest Oklahoma.
The Legislature also this year passed a number of measures to expand broadband service to rural areas. Having affordable internet in this day and age is a lifeline to students, those seeking telehealth services, workers, businesses and more.
In the budget for Fiscal Year 2022, rural broadband will receive $42 million in the form of tax incentives. House Bill 2946 will provides a sales tax exemption, in the form of rebates, on sales of qualifying broadband equipment used to deliver service to unserved or underserved areas of Oklahoma.
Other bills offer grants to broadband providers, establish ways to maximize existing and future infrastructure, update broadband terms in state law, and add important stakeholders to the council developing long-term broadband plans.
I know it’s interim, but I am still on Facebook with regular updates. If you have an event or civic group you would like for me to attend please reach out anytime at mike.dobrinski@okhouse.gov or (405) 557-7407. It is my honor to represent you at our State House.