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Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt called upon four government agencies on April 28 to coordinate a statewide enforcement effort against the unlawful manufacturing, distribution and sale of “psychoactive marijuana byproducts.”
In a letter he sent to the agencies, Stitt cited his concerns over compounds like delta-8 THC, delta-10 THC, HHC, THC-O, THCP and THCV becoming increasingly accessible in consumer products absent proper regulatory oversight.
These cannabinoids—often synthesized or chemically altered from non-intoxicating CBD derived from hemp—pose a growing risk to public health and safety, Stitt said in the letter to leaders from the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDDC), Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), Oklahoma Department of Public Safety (DPS) and Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI).
“These compounds, often marketed to young people, have psychoactive properties that threaten the safety and well-being of Oklahomans,” Stitt said in a press release. “We must act quickly and collaboratively to address this emerging threat and ensure that both licensed and illicit markets are held accountable.”
The governor tasked the agencies with:
- Coordinated Investigation: Identifying and investigating the manufacture, distribution and sale of these compounds, both through licensed dispensaries and unlicensed venues such as convenience stores.
- Targeted Enforcement: Agencies such as OBNDDC, DPS and OSBI will focus on unlawful networks, while OMMA will ensure dispensary compliance within their regulatory scope.
- Regulatory Assessment: Agencies will work together to identify any regulatory gaps and provide recommendations for statutory or administrative improvements to the governor’s office.
“Reports of the increasing availability and use of these substances indicate a need for the state to intensify its efforts to combat this problem,” Stitt wrote. “I write to ask each of you to coordinate closely with one another to strengthen enforcement and regulatory action. A unified, cross-agency approach will be essential to effectively combat the unlawful manufacturing, distribution and sale of these compounds across Oklahoma.”
The governor asked the agencies to outline their coordinated approach in a joint update to his office within 30 days.
