Oklahoma Gov. Signs Bill Requiring $50K Bond for Cannabis Cultivators

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) last week signed a measure requiring all state-approved cannabis growers to hold a $50,000 bond, which lawmakers hope will combat the illegal grows in the state, FOX 23 News reports. The law requires the bond to be paid upfront before the new operations can begin and can be recalled to fund any remediation of the site if it is abandoned or if the license is revoked.  

In a statement, Attorney General Gentner Drummond applauded the bill’s passage and the governor’s approval. He described the legislation as “an important tool to recover after eliminating one of these criminal enterprises.”  

“This measure requires bonding for commercial marijuana grow operations in Oklahoma, meaning that the State will have the resources necessary for environmental cleanup after an illegal marijuana farm is busted and shut down.” — Drummond, in a statement, via FOX 23  

Oklahoma has one of the country’s most permissive medical cannabis programs and state law enforcement officials have been cracking down on illegal operators while lawmakers have been passing bills to reign in unlawful operations. The Senate last month passed a bill that would allow the director of the state Medical Marijuana Authority to shut down cannabis operations that are damaging the environment.