Oklahoma lawmakers are moving forward with a new proposal that aims to tighten marijuana trafficking laws in the state. On Wednesday, Rep. Tom Gann, a Republican from Inola, successfully passed House Bill 1163 in the House. This bill seeks to lower the legal thresholds for marijuana possession, distribution, and manufacturing under the Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act.
If House Bill 1163 becomes law, possessing more than 25 pounds of marijuana would classify as aggravated trafficking, a significant reduction from the current threshold of 1,000 pounds. Violators could face hefty fines ranging from $100,000 to $500,000. Rep. Gann highlighted the necessity of this legislation to combat illegal marijuana trade, stating, “Whatever the law allows, it encourages, and this is an attempt to discourage such trade.”
The bill was prompted by concerns from the assistant district attorney in Rogers, Mays, and Craig counties. Gann noted that the official identified marijuana trafficking as a serious issue in Oklahoma, which has become a high-trafficking state due to its marijuana laws. He emphasized that the bill aims to address these concerns effectively.
House Bill 1163 also seeks to close a loophole that has complicated prosecutions. Under the bill, individuals pulled over by law enforcement for marijuana-related offenses will be required to present their medical marijuana card at the time of the stop. Gann pointed out that currently, some individuals are able to obtain a license between being ticketed and appearing in court, which undermines legal accountability.
The bill passed with a strong majority in the House, with a vote of 66 to 17. It now heads to the Senate, where it will be authored by Shane Jett, a Republican from Shawnee.
