Oklahoma Medical Marijuana’s Different Approach
Oklahoma was the state with the most stringent marijuana laws in the past. Today it is one of the fastest-growing medical-cannabis states. Legalization was back in 2018. Oklahoma boasts a very expansive medical marijuana program. This is why the state’s bid for legal recreational marijuana is not urgent. Oklahoma is the most accommodating state in the country. It has almost 10,000 cannabis licenses. Many industry experts have ranked Oklahoma’s marijuana laws as the future of MMJ programs in the U.S.
Medical Marijuana Basics
The U.S. government is yet to provide any guidelines or regulations governing the creation of state MMJ programs. This is because marijuana is still ranked under Schedule 1 drug at the federal level. This ranking means that it is defined as lacking in any medical benefits.
Many states have independently generated medical marijuana programs. Oklahoma is one such state. The programs are a bit different from other states.
Not Available For Everyone
Medical marijuana is not available to everyone. Even in the states with recreational-marijuana programs, only a few people can access cannabis products. All the states have health conditions that could qualify individuals for the program. Although the lists vary, all of them feature serious diseases and disorders or health conditions that can be managed effectively by the use of cannabis.
Some of the common qualifying conditions are:
- Cancer: Medical marijuana can help ease the chemotherapy effects like pain, nausea and discomfort. Medical marijuana could also be used as part of end-of-life care.
- HIV/AIDS: Patients of this condition endure symptoms like nausea, difficulty weight gain and pain. All these symptoms can be alleviated using marijuana.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma causes intraocular pressure, and marijuana has been known to ease that pressure.
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders: Cannabis contains compounds that could reduce a patient’s seizure frequency and intensity.
- Chronic pain: There are limited treatment options for chronic pain. But medical marijuana has often been prescribed to patients.
Patients with qualifying conditions have to get a recommendation from a licensed physician. This is a different prescription because of cannabis’ federal status. Both adults and supervised minors can apply for medical marijuana cards. This is only after a doctor’s recommendation. The recommendation grants them access to specially licensed dispensaries.
Medical marijuana dispensaries differ from recreational dispensaries. They operate like pharmacies in the way that they manage products and patients. Most of the medical dispensaries will treat a single patient at a time. There is a case by case care. This is to ensure that patients use products that have been expertly chosen to manage specific circumstances.
The Significant Difference With Oklahoma
In certain ways, Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program operated in similar ways to the other states. But, there is one major difference. There is a lack of qualifying conditions for patients. The requirement for patients to suffer from only one of the handful of health issues does not apply. The only requirements that Oklahoma considers are that a patient must be 18 years or older and must have a board-certified physician’s signature.
Any adult suffering from any condition can use medical marijuana as a treatment. There are also rules in place for minors to use medical marijuana as well. The minors must have two physician signatures and a signature from a parent or guardian. Friendly regulations allow many people to experience marijuana treatments.
Oklahoma’s Room To Grow
The prohibition activists are, of course, concerned. They believe that Oklahoma’s Marijuana program creates opportunities for abuse. They also believe it encourages adults to use medical marijuana or recreational purposes. Oklahomans also have easy access to recreational dispensaries when they need them. But, the law states that purchasing marijuana in Colorado is alright. But crossing Oklahoma’s borderlines with it is illegal.
There is no doubt that Oklahoma’s medical-marijuana program is growing rapidly. For cannabis industry entrepreneurs interested in capitalizing on a ready market, Oklahoma is the state to go. State regulators are still offering licenses for medical dispensaries. Cannabis enthusiasts in Oklahoma await the day when recreational marijuana will be legal. Cannabis businesses already operating in the state will have more market opportunities then.