Expanding Legalization

Expanding Legalization: Which State is Next? Pt I

Since the early days of legalization in states like California, Colorado, and Washington, the landscape of the cannabis industry has changed dramatically. In fact, the United States cannabis market of today hardly resembles what it did just 8 short years ago. Now, recreational legalization efforts may be expanding to include states like Arkansas, Florida, and Oklahoma.

Each year, new states that previously banned cannabis altogether are opting for regulated medical marijuana programs and states with medical-use only are expanding their laws to allow for adult-use cannabis. This year alone has seen the legalization of cannabis in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, among others. Most states legalize cannabis through voter initiative and the 2022 elections will likely expand cannabis access in the United States.

Arkansas

Arkansas voted to legalize medical marijuana in 2016, but cannabis sales did not begin in the state until 2019. The Arkansas cannabis industry is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration. Their website is a great resource for updates on cannabis business opportunities in the area. 

Compared to other states, the Arkansas medical cannabis industry is strictly regulated. To illustrate, Arkansas only recognizes 18 qualifying conditions for medical cannabis access and use by patients. Arkansas currently has 38 medical cannabis dispensaries operational across “eight geographic zones.” 

Thus far, any talk of adult-use legalization in Arkansas has been limited to the grassroots efforts of cannabis activists. The group Arkansas True Grass is working on gathering enough signatures to get legalization on the 2022 ballot. 

Florida

The people of Florida voted to legalize cannabis in 2016 and the first legal sales were conducted within the same year. The Florida Department of Health Office of Medical Marijuana Use manages business licenses and applications in the state. 

Florida is much less strict on qualifying conditions for medical cannabis use than other states like Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Arkansas. In fact, Florida doctors can prescribe medical marijuana cards for patients they believe to have debilitating sicknesses that resemble a list of qualifying conditions. Due to this more relaxed approach, the number of licensed dispensaries in the sunshine state have expanded rapidly. Florida currently has over 300 operational cannabis dispensariesand it is possible that more will be licensed in the future.

There is also talk of legalizing recreational cannabis in Florida. As of right now, the advocacy group Regulate Florida is working on a petition to get adult-use cannabis legalization on the ballot in 2022.

Oklahoma

The State of Oklahoma legalized medical cannabis in 2018 and legal sales began that same year. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority manages all cannabis business activity in the state. 

The Oklahoma cannabis market is sometimes referred to as the “wild west of weed.” Namely because the state does not require any qualifying conditions for people to get medical marijuana cards. Unlike Florida doctors who at least need to liken someone’s ailment to a qualifying condition, Oklahoma doctors can prescribe medical marijuana as they see fit. 

Additionally, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has not issued any licensing caps in the state, make it extremely easy for new businesses to enter the market. This has led to the licensing of over 11,000 cannabis businesses and over 2,000 dispensaries.

While some people already liken Oklahoma’s relaxed medical cannabis regulations to a recreational market, the state has yet to legalize adult-use cannabis. As seen in other states, cannabis activists are in the early phases of organizing adult-use legalization efforts in Oklahoma. Of these, the Oklahomans for Responsible Cannabis Action (ORCA) hope to see the opportunity to legalize on the 2022 ballot.

How Can Sapphire Risk Help?

Tony Gallo and the team of experts and consultants at Sapphire Risk Advisory Group have worked in 34 states and are prepared to work in Arkansas, Florida, and Oklahoma. Follow us on social media to stay up to date with more security best practices and cannabis industry updates!