Leading lobbying firm engaged to represent Oklahoma cannabis industry
The Oklahoma Dispensary Association has retained McSpadden Milner Robinson to represent the Oklahoma cannabis industry.
In a press release provided by the Oklahoma Dispensary Association, McSpadden Milner Robinson was identified as the lobbying firm engaged to represent Oklahoma’s cannabis industry during the 58th legislative session, which includes some transformative legislation for state marijuana statutes. Paul M. Murano, ODA's Executive Director, says "Engaging MMR will better position us to advocate for the dispensary owners and more than 368,000 medical marijuana patients."
Among their top priorities is ensuring HB 2272 and proposed license cap provisions doesn’t become law. In their release they express concern that license caps “will come with unintended consequences for all Oklahomans” and that “implementing license caps will import the single worst lesson learned from other states over the last 10 years of marijuana reforms.”
MMR’s successful involvement in the reformation of the State’s alcohol laws, advancing the interests of oil and natural gas and other issues relating to medical marijuana positions them well to amplify the concerned voices of Oklahoma medical cannabis professionals and patients. The ODA’s newly formed relationship with MMR has received praise from the Majority Floor Leader for the Oklahoma House of Representatives, Representative Jon Echols (HD 90).
"MMR is a great firm. They are positioned well to advance the good ideas and ensure the bad ones do not become law. More importantly, there is a need for the ODA. The retail side of this industry is the most complex and it needs a unified voice. I am thrilled that they have formed a trade group and I look forward to working with ODA."
-Rep Jon Echols
"We value the interest of our clients and we are honored that ODA has asked us to represent them at the Capitol," said James Milner. "We have been involved in issues surrounding the medical marijuana industry. It is relatively new for most Oklahomans and the elected officials are trying to wrap their heads around the issue as many have constituents who are in the industry or impacted by it. Our focus is to educate them on the issues and ensure they do no harm."
The ODA was formed to educate and advocate for Oklahoma’s cannabis industry on state and local levels. In this industry, business access directly affects and relates to patient access. The organization describes itself as mission driven to serve Oklahoma’s medical patients and make a positive and beneficial impact in local communities throughout the state. Murano says the new relationship with MMR will help guarantee that outcome.
