Governor Stitt has taken a strong stand against illicit cannabis operations across Oklahoma, reinforcing his administration’s commitment to public safety and lawful business practices. In a recent update, Governor Stitt praised the coordinated efforts of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), both of which have worked tirelessly to dismantle illegal marijuana grows and address related crimes.
According to a report from the Governor’s Office, the campaign has gone far beyond simply uprooting cannabis plants. Law enforcement also uncovered human trafficking activities and made hundreds of arrests linked to criminal enterprises. Governor Stitt emphasized the role of dedicated leaders like Director Adria Berry of OMMA and Director Donnie Anderson of OBN, as well as the state’s sheriffs, in keeping communities safe. Their joint efforts have already led to the seizure of 1.7 million marijuana plants, 181,000 pounds of processed cannabis, and 302 arrests.
The results show progress. When the crackdown began, Oklahoma had 13,785 commercial cannabis licenses and more than 9,000 grows. Today, those numbers have been cut to 5,217 licenses and 2,680 grows. Governor Stitt highlighted these figures as proof that the strategy is working, reducing the scope for illegal operators and ensuring that legitimate businesses can operate on a level playing field.
Executive Director Berry also noted the sheer scale of enforcement, pointing to thousands of administrative cases filed, hundreds of investigations, and referrals for criminal prosecution. Governor Stitt has underscored that such a comprehensive approach is necessary, not only to eliminate unlawful grows but also to dismantle the broader criminal networks behind them.
Local law enforcement has been crucial in supporting this initiative. Sheriff Damon Devereux, President of the Oklahoma Sheriffs Association, praised the OBN’s expertise and resources, describing them as indispensable in combating the widespread impact of illegal cannabis operations. Governor Stitt echoed this sentiment, crediting collaboration between agencies as the foundation of recent successes.
While Oklahoma continues to support a regulated medical marijuana program, Governor Stitt has been clear that illegal operations will not be tolerated.
Looking ahead, Governor Stitt has pledged to keep up the momentum, ensuring that Oklahoma remains a leader in addressing the complex challenges tied to marijuana regulation and enforcement. With millions of illegal plants already seized and thousands of licenses revoked, the state’s message is clear: under Governor Stitt’s leadership, Oklahoma is cracking down on crime and strengthening the future of its cannabis industry.