Oklahoma is one of the states that has legalized medical cannabis, but it also faces challenges in regulating the booming industry. To ensure compliance and quality standards, the state has introduced a secret shopper program that will randomly test cannabis products from licensed dispensaries.
What is the secret shopper program?
The secret shopper program is a new initiative by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), which is the agency responsible for overseeing the medical cannabis industry in the state. The program will use OMMA employees who will pose as patients and purchase cannabis products from different dispensaries. The products will then be sent to a laboratory for testing, and the results will be compared with the labels and certificates of analysis provided by the dispensaries.
The program aims to verify the potency, purity, and safety of the medical cannabis products sold in the state, and to identify any violations or discrepancies. The program will also help the OMMA to collect data and feedback on the industry, and to improve its regulations and enforcement.
Why is the program needed?
The secret shopper program is needed because Oklahoma has a large and fast-growing medical cannabis industry, which also poses some risks and challenges. According to the OMMA, there are over 400,000 active patient licenses, over 10,000 business licenses, and over 2,000 dispensaries in the state. The industry generated more than $800 million in sales in 2021, and is expected to reach $1 billion in 2023.
However, the industry also faces issues such as diversion, fraud, contamination, and inconsistency. Some dispensaries may sell cannabis products that are not tested, labeled, or tracked properly, or that contain harmful substances or inaccurate levels of cannabinoids. Some products may also be sourced from illegal or unlicensed growers, or be sold to unauthorized or underage customers.
The secret shopper program will help the OMMA to monitor and regulate the industry more effectively, and to protect the health and safety of the patients and the public. The program will also help the OMMA to educate and inform the dispensaries and the consumers about the rules and standards of the industry, and to encourage compliance and best practices.
How will the program work?
The secret shopper program will work as follows:
- The OMMA will select a random sample of dispensaries across the state, and assign an employee to visit each one as a secret shopper.
- The employee will present a valid patient license and purchase one or more cannabis products from the dispensary, following the normal procedures and protocols.
- The employee will document the purchase and the product information, and send the product to a laboratory for testing.
- The laboratory will test the product for potency, contaminants, and other parameters, and report the results to the OMMA.
- The OMMA will compare the test results with the labels and certificates of analysis provided by the dispensary, and determine if there are any violations or discrepancies.
- The OMMA will notify the dispensary of the results, and take appropriate actions if needed, such as issuing warnings, fines, or suspensions.
The program will be conducted on a regular basis, and the OMMA will publish the results and the statistics on its website. The OMMA will also use the data and the feedback from the program to improve its regulations and enforcement, and to provide guidance and support to the industry.
What are the benefits and challenges of the program?
The secret shopper program has several benefits and challenges for the medical cannabis industry in Oklahoma. Some of the benefits are:
- The program will help to ensure the quality and safety of the medical cannabis products sold in the state, and to prevent or detect any fraud or contamination.
- The program will help to increase the trust and confidence of the patients and the public in the medical cannabis industry, and to promote its legitimacy and professionalism.
- The program will help to collect data and feedback on the industry, and to improve its regulations and enforcement.
Some of the challenges are:
- The program will require additional resources and staff from the OMMA, which is already a busy and understaffed agency.
- The program will impose additional costs and burdens on the dispensaries, which may have to comply with more rules and inspections.
- The program may face legal or ethical issues, such as privacy, consent, or liability, especially if the secret shoppers encounter any problems or conflicts during their visits.
The OMMA has stated that it will work closely with the industry and the stakeholders to implement the program smoothly and effectively, and to address any concerns or issues that may arise. The OMMA has also stated that it will review and evaluate the program periodically, and make any adjustments or improvements as needed.
