Oklahoma medical cannabis regulators last week uncovered approximately 4,000 untagged cannabis plants and more than 630 pounds of untagged cannabis at a licensed grow facility leading to the arrest of the licensee.
The inspection at Gold Leaf Acres by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) was sparked by an anonymous complaint. Agents also found harvest rooms on the property that were not disclosed prior to the inspection.
The licensee was charged with drug trafficking offenses and obstructing an officer.
In a statement, OMMA Executive Director Adria Berry said the agency had to “act fast” on the tip and that the arrest was made at the Tulsa International Airport and assisted by U.S. Marshals.
“Public health and safety are among our top priorities. I applaud the diligent efforts made by our compliance inspectors and enforcement agents to uphold those standards while stopping potential large-scale diversion… there’s one less bad actor operating a business that jeopardizes public health and the integrity of our medical market.” — Berry in a press release
Oklahoma’s medical cannabis program is considered one of the country’s most permissive and last session lawmakers passed several bills aimed at curbing the diversion of medical cannabis products. According to a Cannabis Public Policy Consulting study commissioned by OMMA released last month, Oklahoma medical cannabis growers may be producing 64 times more cannabis than needed for the state’s patient population. The report suggests that the oversupply is “very likely adding to an illicit market both at the point of cultivation and the point of retail sale.”
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