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Oklahoma’s medical marijuana industry has safety gaps in how processing facilities are inspected, according to the article. In April 2023, worker Damien O’Daniel suffered second- and third-degree burns when butane ignited at Releaf Labs in Logan County. The facility had moved into a new, unlicensed building, and its gas alarms did not sound. A deadly explosion also occurred at Solos Extracts in Sand Springs on Aug. 27, killing two employees, months after the fire marshal ordered the owner to shut down a processing booth over an outdated sprinkler system.
Facilities need multiple inspections to open, including by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, the Liquefied Petroleum and Gas Board, the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and a fire marshal. However, fire marshals aren’t required to return once a certificate of occupancy is issued, unless the business changes location or use. Later inspections by other agencies don’t focus on fire safety.
From 2018 to 2024, certificates of occupancy weren’t required. Businesses needed only a certificate of compliance signed by a municipal official, who needed no fire-safety training. Some facilities may never have been permitted. In towns under 10,000 people, certified inspectors aren’t required.
The state fire marshal has just 13 officers, was made self-funded in 2017, and was overwhelmed by applications after certificates became mandatory in 2024.
Fire marshal officials called for better communication between agencies and suggested a hazardous-processing task force, annual operational permits, or mandatory annual state inspections, though these could burden the office or infringe on municipalities’ authority. Lawmakers said they hadn’t received specific requests for legislation but were open to hearing concerns. Industry owner Caleb Neal argued the industry is unfairly singled out.
Frontpage photo: © Korn Vitthayanukarun | Dreamstime
Source: eu.oklahoman.com
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