OKLAHOMA CITY– Attorney General Gentner Drummond praised the governor and state Legislature for a suite of legislation to help law enforcement crack down on Oklahoma’s illegal marijuana grow operations.
“These measures are to help law enforcement combat the illegal marijuana operations across our state jeopardizing public safety and harming our communities,” Drummond said. “Shutting down these illegal operations is my top priority. I am thankful our lawmakers have provided more support to law enforcement that will help protect all Oklahomans.”
While many grows abide by the law, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics estimates nearly half of the 6,299 grow operations in Oklahoma are illegal. These illegal grows are often operated by Mexican drug cartels and Chinese nationals whose illicit activities also include human trafficking, sex trafficking and the distribution of deadly drugs such as fentanyl.
Bills recently signed into law include: SB 212 by Sen. David Bullard and Rep. Justin Humphrey This bill prohibits foreign ownership of land except for businesses engaging in interstate commerce. It takes effect Nov. 1.
SB 475 by Sen. Lonnie Paxton and Rep. Jon Echols This measure allows the OBN to suspend the registration of any person without a hearing when it is determined there is imminent danger to public health or safety. It took effect Friday.
SB 813 by Sen. Jessica Garvin and Rep. T.J. Marti This law authorizes the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority to operate a laboratory to conduct compliance testing of medical marijuana. The effective date was June 1.
HB 2281 by Rep. Echols and Sen. Paxton defines a straw party and prohibits distributing any controlled dangerous substance on behalf of any person through a straw person/party. It was effective May 11.
SB 913 by Sen. Darcy Jech and Rep. Anthony Moore This bill requires all grow operations to hold a $50,000 bond .