Several Oklahoma associations have signed a letter sent to the state's cannabis authority asking for a temporary moratorium on issuing more licenses.
"On behalf of Oklahoma's farmers, ranchers, and rural citizens, the undersigned organizations write with great concern for the explosive growth in the number of marijuana grow facilities in rural Oklahoma. According to the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority's (OMMA) website, as of September 3rd, there were 8,630 grower permits issued in the state of Oklahoma. According to the 2017Agriculture Census, this exceeds the number of Oklahoma wheat farms (6510), pork farms (1906), soybean farms (1750), cotton farms (808), and dairy farms (471)," the letter reads.
Oklahoma is the state with the lowest entry barrier in the cannabis industry. This has created a situation where, as pointed out in the letter, many people were able to obtain a license. Even though the sentiment behind such a licensing process would allow many to apply for a license, thus giving an opportunity to all those who want to give a shot to this industry, recently, some problems have started to emerge.
Indeed, among the reasons for the asked moratorium, there's the necessity to improve the inspection on growers. "This pause will allow OMMA to catch up with inspections of current permits along with consideration of how new and existing grower permits should be regulated," the letter explains.
Source: Letter to OMMA