Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Targets Illicit Cannabis Farms to Protect Legitimate Medical Businesses

LOS ANGELES — Over the past two years, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) has initiated aggressive enforcement actions, resulting in the shutdown of over 800 illegitimate cannabis farms that were operating under the pretense of the state’s medical cannabis regulations. This crackdown has led to more than 200 arrests and confiscation of almost 7,000 pounds of cannabis, according to KFOR reports.

The focus of the OBN’s enforcement has been primarily on “out-of-state” illegal operations, which are reportedly connected to international crime syndicates, including those based in Russia, Bulgaria, Armenia, and Serbia. Mark Woodward, the spokesperson for OBN, emphasized the detrimental impact these illicit operations have on the state’s genuine medical cannabis industry.

Illegal entities have been saturating the market, driving prices to unsustainable levels, and subsequently forcing legitimate businesses into closure or bankruptcy. “The illegal activities are undermining the state’s authentic medical cannabis market,” Woodward said.

Woodward firmly stated OBN’s commitment to safeguarding Oklahoma’s legal cannabis businesses. “We are determined to ensure that Oklahoma is not perceived as a refuge for such illicit enterprises,” he declared. “Any illegal entities found attempting to exploit our state’s medical cannabis regulations will be promptly identified, and decisive action will be taken.”

The scale of the issue appears significant, with Woodward revealing that OBN is currently in the process of investigating thousands of potential unlawful cannabis farms in Oklahoma. The overarching message from the bureau remains clear: Oklahoma is committed to fostering a safe and legal environment for its medical cannabis industry.