OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma State Board of Health on Tuesday approved the proposed emergency rules to regulate medical marijuana, with the exception of smokable cannabis.
The rules are aimed at fast-tracking the industry into business.
The proposed final draft includes 20 rules that recommend how the state can govern an array of issues like licensing, who can sell and prescribe medical marijuana, inventory tracking and prescribing medical marijuana to minors.
The board recommended three changes to the proposal: eliminate the sale of smokable cannabis, require pharmacists to be present at dispensaries and limit the number of dispensaries and locations.
The board's own attorney advised against the additions.
A group of medical professionals that opposed medical marijuana pushed for the stricter guidelines.
Residents in the traditionally conservative state voted to legalize medical marijuana on June 26, with nearly 57 percent of the vote. The law is scheduled to take effect 60 days after approval.
Julie Ezell, general counsel for the state health department, says removing smokable marijuana from the set of rules might not be allowed under State Question 788 and could bring about litigation.
Click here to read the final proposed draft of rules.
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