Sadly, Oklahoma has yet to make any significant strides in cannabis law reform. The state hasn’t adopted sufficient medical cannabis legislation and it carries one of the strictest penalties for recreational cannabis possession of less than an ounce in the United States. Relatively recent legislative changes allow access to high-CBD cannabis oil to children diagnosed with pediatric epilepsy disorders and to adults suffering from a handful of conditions.
CBD from Hemp Oil in Oklahoma
Hemp CBD oil is federally legal in the U.S. Individual state laws, however, are dynamic and some states have and will enact their own laws regulating hemp-derived CBD. Oklahoma may govern hemp-derived CBD.
Medical Cannabis in Oklahoma
While Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program has made steps forward as of late, it still leaves most patients needing medicinal cannabis behind. Gov. Fallin did sign a bill on April 30, 2015 that legalized cannabis oils for children with severe epilepsy disorders, including Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome and Dravet Syndrome. The high-CBD liquid cannabis oils must contain no more than 0.3% THC and CBD products have to be derived from the mature stalks or seeds of the cannabis plant.
In May, 2016, Gov. Fallin signed House Bill 2835, which allows adults access to low-THC cannabis oil for the treatment of severe forms of epilepsy, spasticity due to multiple sclerosis or due to paraplegia, intractable nausea and vomiting, and wasting syndrome. The law took effect November 1, 2016.
Recreational Cannabis in Oklahoma
Recreational use of cannabis is strictly illegal in Oklahoma. Possession of any amount, even less than 1 ounce, carries the potential of up to 1 year in jail. Subsequent offenses are subject to a mandatory two years, up to 10 years, in jail. Oklahoma State Governor Mary Fallin did sign House Bill 2479 in April 2016, which reduced penalties for second cannabis possession by cutting sentencing in half. Any conviction also results in the immediate driver’s license suspension from 6 months to 3 years.
Cultivation of Cannabis in Oklahoma
The cultivation of cannabis for recreational or medical purposes is a felony and carries severe penalties in the state of Oklahoma. Cultivating up to 1,000 plants is punishable by a maximum $25,000 fine and cultivating more than 1,000 plants is punishable by a maximum $50,000 fine. Both are also subject to a prison sentence ranging between 20 years to life.
Resources:
- http://medicalCannabis.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=000881#
- http://norml.org/laws/item/oklahoma-penalties-2?category_id=901
- https://blog.mpp.org/prohibition/oklahoma-Cannabis-policy-reforms-take-effect/
