Two bills filed in Oklahoma seek to impose new restrictions on the state’s medical cannabis industry, including decreasing purchase limits and changing medical cannabis advertising rules, KOCO News reports. SB30, introduced by state Sen. George Burns (R) would reduce the amount of medical cannabis patients can buy in one week from 3 ounces to 2.5 ounces, while SB191, authored by state Sen. Dusty Deevers (R) would bar any medical cannabis advertising from saying that medical cannabis is “safe and harmless,” according to the bill text.
Corbin Wyatt, owner of Likewise Cannabis, told KOCO that Sen. Burns’ bill would have a negative impact on the state’s medical cannabis patients, contending that “A lot of patients have come to rely on a full three ounces of flower for medication.” He added that the “arbitrary” new limit likely wouldn’t prevent medical cannabis from being diverted into the unregulated market.
“We have had so many patients over time who have told us they’ve gotten off of hardcore pain killers, even fentanyl, and they’ve stopped using it, and cannabis has changed their lifestyle entirely.” — Wyatt to KOCO
In addition to prohibiting medical cannabis ads from saying the products are safe and harmless, the advertising bill would bar any ads that include “any manner or design that would be especially appealing to children or other persons under 18 years of age.” That prohibition would apply to “objects such as toys or cartoon or other characters, which suggest the presence of a child…flashing signs, flags, banners, or tube men,” according to the bill text.
The bill would also outlaw ads that include “depictions of improved social status, physical appearance, or athletic performance” or discounts or coupons for medical cannabis.
Both bills were introduced one month before the start of the state’s legislative session on February 3.
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