In a September 22 Facebook post shared by Ron Durbin of Durbin Law Firm, several Oklahoma agricultural associations released a request to halt the distribution of cultivation licenses.
The letter from the Oklahoma Agricultural Aviation commission, Oklahoma Cattlemans' Association, Oklahoma Dairy Producers Association, Oklahoma Sherriffs' Association, and the Oklahoma Soybean Association was shared on Mr. Durbin's Facebook Wednesday afternoon, along with his response and a description of the events at hand.
Within the collective associations' letter was the request for the OMMA (addressed to Director Adria Berry) to "issue a temporary moratorium on any more grower permits." The request was followed by a suggestion for the moratorium to expire on June 1, 2022.
The collective associations raised concerns over a lack of a standardized seed-to-sale tracking system, regulatory authority issues, and the general growth of the industry as a whole.
The OMMA website released a statement from Director Berry in response to the collective associations' request for a moratorium, stating, "It is true that rural Oklahoma has seen an unprecedented uptick in the purchase and lease of land for cannabis farming, as pointed out by the signatories to the letter. Under current statutes, however, we do not have the authority to issue a moratorium on grower licenses, but I look forward to working with legislators and the leaders of your associations to find a solution to these pressing concerns."
Mr. Durbin released his own statement in response to the associations' request, encouraging patience and coroporation between industries. To read his response, please click here.
While Oklahoma's cannabis industry has seen exponential growth within the last several years, various positive trends within the industry and its consumer demands have emerged. With expanded educational materials available and a wide selection of products to choose from, consumers are moving towards brands that focus on quality over quantity. In conjunction, there is a rise among industry professionals seeking sustainable, more cost-effective methods of growing, such as living soil.
Make no mistake, Oklahoma is still the wild west of the cannabis industry. However, trends within the industry and consumer demands are helping push the industry as a whole in a more structured direction. While concerns like those raised by outside industries may appear unreasonable to those who work with cannabis, it is important to encourage respectful conversation with the goal of reaching a mutual conclusion.