[PRESS RELEASE] – OKLAHOMA CITY, May 21, 2026 – The Cannabis Center of Excellence, in collaboration with Patients for Safe Access Oklahoma, Synergistic Cannabis Consulting, researchers, laboratory professionals, industry stakeholders and patient advocates, released the “2026 Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Research Studies and Program Report.”
The report includes 17 key findings and provides one of the most comprehensive research, public health, and policy analyses of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program to date. The report can be downloaded here: http://bit.ly/3RcmwZY
The report and key findings combine statewide patient and business survey data, regulatory review, market analysis, laboratory oversight concerns, public health surveillance findings and stakeholder perspectives collected between April and May 2026.
According to the report, Oklahoma continues to maintain one of the largest medical marijuana programs in the United States, with more than 311,000 registered patients, representing approximately 1 in 13 Oklahoma residents. The 2026 Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Patient Study, launched in April, included 188 respondents with an average age of 49 years. The most commonly reported conditions for which patients found medical marijuana helpful included: anxiety (82%), depression or mood disorders (64%), chronic pain (61%), arthritis (58%), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (52%) and insomnia (50%).
Patients also reported using medical marijuana for migraines, fibromyalgia, seizures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Parkinson’s disease, cancer-related symptoms, ADHD, end-of-life care and neurological conditions. Respondents overwhelmingly reported positive quality-of-life outcomes, including improvements in physical symptoms (85%), psychological symptoms (87%) and overall quality of life (71%).
A major finding of the report involved substance use reduction and harm reduction outcomes reported by patients. Nearly 60% of respondents reported attempting to reduce prescription medication use while using medical marijuana, including reductions in opioids, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, sedatives and other pharmaceuticals. Similarly, 49% reported using medical marijuana to reduce use of alcohol, 34% tobacco, and 41% reducing opiate use.
Among veterans participating in the study, 60% reported using medical marijuana to reduce some type of prescription medication use. Respondents also described concerns about exposure to highly dangerous substances within the illicit drug supply, including fentanyl and xylazine, highlighting the importance of safer, regulated alternatives and expanded harm reduction approaches.
The report also documents major market and regulatory changes within Oklahoma’s medical marijuana system since 2021, including a 77% decline in OMMA cultivation licenses, ongoing enforcement actions targeting illegal operations and increased market consolidation.
More than half of respondents (55%) reported they do not believe Oklahoma politicians support medical marijuana patients, while 35% reported uncertainty regarding whether elected officials support patient access and protections. Only 11% of respondents believed Oklahoma politicians support medical marijuana patients. Approximately 39% of respondents reported they would consider changing their political party affiliation based on a candidate’s position on medical marijuana policy, while 17% remained unsure.
Key public health and regulatory concerns identified throughout the report include:
- Inconsistent laboratory testing standards and potency inflation concerns;
- Delayed implementation of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) Quality Assurance Laboratory;
- Limited transparency surrounding recalls and patient notification systems;
- Concerns regarding pesticide testing gaps and contaminant monitoring;
- Growth of unregulated hemp-derived synthetic cannabinoid products sold in gas stations and smoke shops; and
- The need for expanded public health surveillance and evidence-based cannabis regulation.
The report concludes that Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program has evolved into a major health care, economic and public health system that requires modernization through stronger laboratory oversight, evidence-based regulation, improved transparency and integration of public health monitoring systems.
“This report demonstrates that Oklahoma patients are using medical marijuana as part of broader strategies to manage chronic illness, improve quality of life and reduce reliance on potentially more harmful substances,” said Dr. Marion McNabb, president of the Cannabis Center of Excellence and lead author of the report. “At the same time, the findings identify urgent needs related to laboratory oversight, product safety, recall transparency and strengthened public health surveillance.”
The report was authored by:
- Dr. Marion McNabb, Cannabis Center of Excellence
- Summer Parker, Patients for Safe Access Oklahoma
- Kadi Nail, Synergistic Cannabis Consulting
- John Frasure, Veteran and Cannabis Expert
- Stephanie Davis, Paralegal and Cannabis Expert
- Jeremy Woods, Wild West Consulting
- Jeffrey Havard, Havard Labs
The full report and executive summary are available for download through the Cannabis Center of Excellence at http://bit.ly/3RcmwZY or www.cannacitizenscience.com or by emailing Dr. McNabb at [email protected].
