Episode 2: How Oklahoma's Certificate of Occupancy Crisis is Impacting the Medical Marijuana Industry

In this clip from episode 2 of The Green Brief with Larissa Darnaby of Landmark Solutions, Mason Pain discusses the real world impact Oklahoma's sudden enforcement of Certificate of Occupancy requirements has had on legal operators.

Full transcript of clip

Mason Pain (30:40)

These are, these people are bleeding out and I really don't even care about intention. If, if this is intentionally being done to reduce the amount of licenses or harm the cannabis industry, whatever. It's the impact that matters and that is what's happening. So many of these folks are paying thousands a month in rents to keep facilities that they have pending licenses applications at for two years. Thousands for bonds, thousands for permits, thousands to get plans drawn up and an architect to come out and take them through this COO process. So thousands upon thousands to play the game by the book, by the regulatory code as it shifts while their applications are pending, meeting all the deadlines just to continue to be put on hold.

Why This Matters for Oklahoma Cannabis Businesses

This clip highlights the very real economic toll Oklahoma’s sudden enforcement of Certificate of Occupancy (COO) requirements is having on cannabis license applicants. As discussed in The Green Brief, operators are pouring tens of thousands into rents, bonds, permit fees and architectural plans—just to stay compliant with shifting regulations. Many of these facilities have been in limbo for years, stuck in the license approval process while the state agencies continue to revise enforcement policies without clear guidance.

The conversation underscores a growing frustration across Oklahoma's cannabis industry. The intention behind regulatory changes may be unclear, but the impact is undeniable: businesses are hemorrhaging money and patients are at risk of losing access due to bureaucratic gridlock.

Don’t Miss the Full Episode

If you're an Oklahoma cannabis operator, policymaker or advocate, this episode offers critical insights into the COO crisis and broader regulatory tensions. Catch the full discussion with land use and development expert Larissa Darnaby on The Green Brief—dropping June 25 on YouTube, Spotify and all major podcast platforms. All links live here.