Secret Shopper’s Among New Regulations for Oklahoma’s Marijuana Industry

TULSA, Okla. (KTUL) — The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has released new and updated rules for dispensaries, grows, and labs to follow.

The rules took effect earlier this week, NewsChannel 8 spoke with Chico Sherwood, the owner of Best Dispensaries, who shared his thoughts on the changes, including the rule allowing the OMMA to employ secret shoppers to inspect licensed businesses.

“As far as secret shoppers go, I welcome them,” said Sherwood.

Secret shoppers are just one of the many new changes that the OMMA is implementing. Some of the rules relate to laboratory testing and requirements.

“They’re fine-tuning not only dispensaries but processors and growers as well,” Sherwood added.

Sherwood says this sort of oversight is important not only for business owners and growers but for customers too.

“For one we know what’s in the bag because whenever they’re more stringent on their testing we know that they’re true tests. It’s a good thing because, you know, it’s medicine and you need to know exactly what it is you’re taking,” said Sherwood.

Other rules include an extension on the moratorium to August 2026, requiring employees of a medical marijuana business to apply for and receive a credential authorizing them to work, and prohibiting growers from hiring undocumented immigrants.

“All of the companies that are left today are really good up-to-standard companies and none of us would want to do anything that’s gonna make us lose our license,” said Sherwood.

According to the OMMA website, the rules are subject to a rulemaking process requiring public comment on proposed rules, hearings, and review and approval by the Oklahoma government.