How to Start a Marijuana Business in Oklahoma

Our guide on how to start a marijuana business in Oklahoma gives you a step-by-step breakdown of how to enter one of the nation’s fastest-growing medical cannabis markets. The Sooner State has seen some of the most incredible market growth in the nation over the past few years. Get in on the ground floor of this blossoming industry today.

Industry Snapshot: Oklahoma

In 2018, Oklahoma voters approved State Question 788 legalizing the medical use of marijuana. Since then, the state’s industry has skyrocketed.

In 2020, it more than doubled its pot sales total from the previous year reaching $808 million and created over 6,000 new weed jobs. Now, the state supports 16,759 full-time cannabis workers.

If you want to start a medical cannabis business in Oklahoma, you will have to apply with the state’s regulating agency: the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA). The OMMA oversees the licensing, regulation, and administration of the state's medical cannabis program.

Are You Eligible to Apply?

If you're interested in applying for a business license, here are the basic requirements for eligibility:

• Must be 25 or older
• Must be an Oklahoma resident
• At least 75% of the ownership of entities must be by Oklahoma residents
• Must pay application licensing fees
• Must provide a background check
• Must submit a copy of the Oklahoma Secretary of State Certificate of Good Standing document (if applicable)
• Must not be a sheriff, deputy sheriff, police officer or prosecuting officer, or an officer or employee of the OMMA or a municipality in which the establishment is located

License Types

• Grower
• Processor
• Dispensary
• Transporter

Application Process: At-A-Glance

All cannabis business applications must be completed online on the OMMA’s website.

1. Begin the online application process by creating your user account in the system. You will need to include your contact information. After registering, you will be required to confirm your email address.
2. Log in to the application system and select the COMMERCIAL license option and Create New Application. You will be providing the following information about your establishment:
   1. Individual owner name or primary entity name
   2. Type of commercial license (one application for each license)
   3. Trade name of the business
   4. Phone number, fax number, and website
   5. Business structure type
   6. Office/operating hours (optional)
3. Include the contact information and IDs of all qualifying owners and members, managers, and board members.
4. Include information about the physical location of your establishment including address, GPS coordinates, and mailing address (if different from the physical location).
5. Include information about the Registered Agent/Primary Contact, which is found on the Certificate of Good Standing of businesses with that requirement.
6. Answer all the questions and verifications acknowledging the veracity of the information provided and that you understand the rules and regulations.
7. Upload all the required documents including:
   1.  Affidavit of Lawful Presence documentation
   2. For dispensaries, upload a map showing your proposed location is more than 1,000 feet from any entrance of any public or private school
   3. Proof of Oklahoma residency for those representing the 75% ownership share that must be Oklahoma residents
   4. Background check for each owner
   5. Identification for each person of interest identified
   6. Certificate of Compliance
   7. Certificate of Good Standing
   8. For processors and dispensaries only, Oklahoma tax permit
   9. Ownership disclosure documentation
   10. Ownership list
8. Complete the online payment.
9. Review the completed information before submitting the application.

The OMMA will have 90 business days to review the business application. If more information is required, applicants will have 30 calendar days to submit the required information, or else the application will expire.

Residency Requirements

Cannabis businesses in Oklahoma will need to include proof of residency for the last 2 years or 5 continuous years of the last 25 years before the date of filing a renewal or new application, in order to establish that 75% of the owners are Oklahoma residents.

Certificate of Compliance

All cannabis business applicants must submit a Certificate of Compliance from the political subdivision (city or county) that has authority where the establishment is located.

Establishments doing business within Oklahoma City can submit the COC provided by Oklahoma City. Contact your city or county for more information about the process.

A certificate of compliance ensures the proposed facility meets the following applicable codes:

• Zoning classifications and ordinances
• Safety codes
• Fire codes
• Electrical, plumbing, waste codes
• Building or construction codes

Distance From Schools

Medical cannabis dispensaries must be located at least 1,000 feet from a school including preschools. School does not include the following:

• Homeschool
• Daycare
• Childcare facility

Licensing Fee

The non-refundable application licensing fee is the same for a grower, processor, dispensary, or transporter application.

Application Fee: $2,500 per license

Application fees are payable by credit or debit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover) plus an additional credit card processing fee.

How to Start a Marijuana Business in Oklahoma Training

If you want to learn how to start a cannabis business in Oklahoma on the right foot then enroll in Oklahoma cannabis business training brought to you by Cannabis Training University.

Our complete curriculum covers cannabis laws and other important industry topics for entrepreneurs looking to invest and start a cannabis business. Whether you're starting it in Oklahoma or another legal state, we've got you covered.

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