This past week, we completed work on the 2021 legislative session, adjourning on Thursday, a day before the deadline mandated by our state’s constitution. Overall, it was a remarkable session in terms of what we were able to accomplish—even more so when you think back to just a year ago, when we were facing a $1.3 billion shortfall and still reeling from the public health and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Because Oklahoma made data-driven choices about opening back up ahead of many other states, our economy has rebounded. We were able to restore budget cuts we were forced to make last year and include targeted investments in our core services of government, reduce the tax burden on Oklahoma families and businesses, and restore emergency savings that were depleted a year ago. We’re providing tax rebates to assist in our efforts to improve connectivity to high speed internet throughout our state, including rural Oklahoma, and we approved legislation to better protect and support law enforcement and our veterans.
One of the last pieces of legislation I presented in the Senate this session was Senate Bill 1033. When Oklahomans voted in 2018 to make medical marijuana legal in Oklahoma, there were many areas of law related to this product that were simply not addressed in that state question—issues related to product safety, to the business side of the industry, and dealing with very real and serious concerns about criminal activity, including drug cartels attempting to profit illegally from these businesses and facilities.
On Thursday, I won passage for SB 1033, which will help clarify regulatory issues, improve accountability and ensure the manpower to clamp down on illegal activities. The bill will allow the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Association (OMMA) to enter into agreements to hire more agents. The bill clarifies existing law related to the 1,000-foot separation distance between medical marijuana businesses and schools and allows municipalities to object to the continued licensing of a marijuana business if it is not in compliance.
SB 1033 also allows for U.S. and Canadian publicly traded companies to acquire up to 40% equity in a licensed processor, grow, or transport license, with certain restrictions, allowing for important investments in Oklahoma. Publicly traded companies are greatly regulated, and their investments in Oklahoma will help our comprehensive efforts to ensure the legitimacy of operations within the industry. Furthermore, it authorizes the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) to charge OMMA a 1.5% fee for collecting the 7% medical marijuana tax. This will help the OTC fund cover costs associated with tax collections and compliance.
In closing, I want to wish each and every one of you a happy Memorial Day. While for many, this holiday weekend marks the start of the summer, please remember it is far more than that. Memorial Day is a federal and state holiday established to honor American military members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country, from the Revolutionary War through world wars, Korea, Vietnam and the War on Terror. Throughout our state’s history, Oklahomans have given their lives in defense of the liberties we hold dear. Please remember our fallen heroes this Memorial Day and the sacrifices they made for each of us.
I thank you for the privilege of being your voice at the State Capitol. If you have any questions or concerns about legislation or other issues at the state level, please feel free to contact my office by calling (405) 521- 5528, or email James.Leewright@oksenate.gov.