Consumer Alert: Legitimate Medical Cannabis Industry Warns of Sham Marijuana “Clinics”

OKLAHOMA CITY – New Health Solutions Oklahoma (NHSO), the trade group for the medical cannabis industry in Oklahoma, today issued a consumer alert warning Oklahomans to be wary of any business that is currently promising medical marijuana, future access to medical marijuana, or referrals to doctors who will prescribe medical marijuana. Although State Question 788 passed on Tuesday, the State Health Department has not issued any licenses to sell or grow medical marijuana and cannot do so until late July. Businesses promising medical marijuana services today are either acting illegally or are deceiving customers. NHSO’s announcement comes after reports of “cannabis clinics” opening in the state.
 
NHSO Executive Director Bud Scott said that any businesses billing themselves as a cannabis or medical clinic or dispensary was mispresenting itself and doing a disservice to the public.
 
“When the Health Department begins issuing licenses, Oklahomans will see a large number of legitimate cannabis-related businesses dedicated to meeting their medical needs,” said Scott. “Unfortunately, what we are seeing today is an influx of snake oil salesmen or, even worse, ‘clinics’ positioning themselves as future pill mills for medical marijuana. We strongly caution against doing business with any of these organizations.”
 
Scott said the influx of sham medical marijuana businesses underscored the need for additional rules and regulations from the Legislature and State Department of Health.
 
“We need legislative action to ensure that State Question 788 is responsibly implemented,” said Scott. “Issues like testing for quality control and transparency in financing need to be addressed in this industry, just like they are in others.”