Testing, labeling, recalls not included in medical marijuana state question

A new law allowing medical marijuana did not address three areas of public health policy, a legislative panel was told Wednesday.

The Legislative Working Group on Medical Marijuana held its seventh meeting Wednesday to discuss testing, recalls and product labeling.

Additional meetings are expected.

Buffy Heater, project lead for the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, told the panel that State Question 788, which voters approved June 26, did not address laboratory testing, recall requirements for commercial entities or packaging and labeling.

Initial rules adopted by the Board of Health on July 10 addressed testing and recalls, Heater said.

But a version adopted Aug. 1 following widespread criticism of the original rules did not address those areas, she said.

Because the state question made a statutory change, lawmakers could craft legislation to put additional regulations in place.

The state is already issuing licenses for patients, caregivers, growers, processors and dispensaries.

"The Oklahoma State Department of Health recommends the establishment of an advisory group to develop laboratory testing guidelines for the medical marijuana program," Heater said.

The state has no lab to do the testing, although five private labs have expressed an interest, she said.

Sen. Greg McCortney, R-Ada, said lawmakers were trying to figure out how to go about ensuring the medicine that is being ingested is a quality medication.

McCortney co-chairs the panel, along with Rep. Jon Echols, R-Oklahoma City.

Chip Paul of Oklahomans for Health helped write the state question. He said it was the intent to have proper regulations developed.

Rep. Steve Kouplen, D-Beggs, asked Heater if the Oklahoma State Department of Health would still implement State Question 788 without legislation on testing.

She said the agency would still implement the measure.