Oklahoma Dispensary Association Engages Leading Oklahoma Lobbying Firm and Opposes License Cap Bill HB 2272

OKLAHOMA CITY, March 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The rapidly growing Oklahoma Dispensary Association ("ODA") has engaged McSpadden Milner Robinson ("MMR") as their lobbying firm to represent the Oklahoma cannabis industry in the 58^th legislative session. "Engaging MMR will better position us to advocate for the dispensary owners and more than 368,000 medical marijuana patients," said Paul M. Murano, ODA's Executive Director. ODA was formed to educate the cannabis industry and advocate on its behalf at the state and local levels. It does that in order to serve medical marijuana patients and to make a positive impact in local communities throughout Oklahoma.

MMR was formed six years ago when James McSpadden, James Milner and Brett Robison merged their sole lobbying practices. The firm has been involved in many key issues brought before the Oklahoma State Capitol – from reforming the state's alcohol laws, advancing the interests of oil and gas, to opposing onerous tax measures. "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."

Representative Jon Echols (HD 90), the Majority Floor Leader for the Oklahoma House of Representatives and a major supporter of the industry, is thrilled with ODA's formation and its new lobbying team. "There are going to be a number of different ideas on how the industry needs to be structured – some good and frankly some really bad ideas as well," stated Echols, "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."

ODA's new relationship with MMR will amplify the organization's voice and help guarantee that the tremendous impact of Oklahoma's $1 billion medical marijuana industry on the local community is positive and beneficial.  Oklahoma has created a model medical marijuana industry that has become an envy of the rest of the country – many people moved here just to get into our cannabis industry. However, implementing license caps will import the single worst lesson learned from other states over the last 10 years of marijuana reforms. This is why one of the top priorities for this legislative session is to make sure that proposed license limits on this industry do not prevail and create unintended consequences for all Oklahomans.

Media Contact:
Paul Murano
918-409-0030

SOURCE Oklahoma Dispensary Assocation

Related Links

https://oklahomadispensary.org/