By Robert Medley
Managing Editor
Laws were established to regulate the business side of medical marijuana in Okarche Monday night.
The town trustees approved new rules related to dispensaries, growing and processing of medical marijuana.
Okarche does not have a medical marijuana dispensary. Voters statewide narrowly legalized medical marijuana in 2018.
In July, Canadian County dispensaries paid $241,276 in taxes, about 15.5% of total sales.
Taxes paid by dispensaries goes to a 7% state excise tax and additional state and local tax.
The Okarche trustees approved locations for dispensaries will be limited to commercially-zoned areas along U.S. 81. Growers will be able to produce in areas zoned for agricultural use and processors will be limited to areas of town zoned for industrial use by review and approval on town inspectors.
The vote on the new ordinances was 2-1. Trustee Matt Blackwood, Office 1, voted no, and Trustee Joe Frisby, Office 3 and Mayor Jeff Sadler voted yes.
Mayor Jeff Sadler said there have been previous calls from people in the medical marijuana industry who have wanted to know more information about what kind of operations would be allowed.
All new growing, selling or processing businessses would be subject to review. The trustees also approved the emergency proclamations which allow the ordinances to take effect
There are currently a number of dispensaries in El Reno and Yukon and one dispensary in Piedmont.
