A collaborative investigation has seen the shuttering of a number of marijuana companies in Oklahoma, with additional motion to doubtless observe.

In March this yr, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt mentioned medical marijuana was getting “way out of control” in his state. He mentioned he had been instructed there’s sufficient marijuana grown in Oklahoma to produce the whole USA, and signalled the state of affairs can be tightened up.

In June, a research discovered the provision of regulated medical hashish was outpacing patient demand within the state by an element of 32, elevating considerations the oversupply could also be serving to to assist a bootleg market. It seems that has been the case and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) subsequently dedicated to tackling the state of affairs.

In July, OMMA made an arrest after an nameless criticism a couple of licensed develop facility the place 4,000 untagged hashish crops and greater than 630 kilos of untagged hashish have been found. Harvest rooms have been additionally found on the property that weren’t disclosed by the licensee previous to the inspection.

Final week OMMA introduced one other investigation, carried out by OMMA in collaboration with Kay County authorities, has resulted in 5 companies being shut down. Investigators seized or embargoed round 14,000 crops and 4,850 kilos of marijuana.

The investigation was triggered by 11 latest complaints regarding Ponca Metropolis-area medical marijuana companies and noticed 19 routine compliance inspections happen at native licensed services within the space.

OMMA initially filed two Emergency Orders of Abstract Suspension and Embargo in administrative court docket on September 11, which resulted in two growers being instantly shut down. Then on September 13, OMMA filed three extra orders for shutdowns. All are topic to additional administrative proceedings.

These pressured closures are unlikely to be the final.

“This enforcement effort aligns with the strategic response to the provision and demand research we launched in June, sending a robust message that illicit exercise has nowhere to cover,” said OMMA Govt Director Adria Berry.

Ms. Berry inspired the general public to contact OMMA after they suspect criminality of their space.

“Our enforcement, compliance and authorized groups stand prepared to make sure the security of our sufferers and their communities by means of swift motion.”