Six months ago, Oklahomans voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana in the Sooner State.As of last week, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has granted almost 23,000 patient licenses and thousands more on the business side -- caregivers, dispensaries, growers and processors -- racking up $8.8 million in application fees alone.Despite the project's success, though, officials said there are still unknowns with the new law moving forward."It's been a very hectic time for us. It's been all hands on deck," said Tony Sellars, with the Oklahoma State Department of Health.To keep up with the demand, the OMMA might hire more workers. At this point, however, officials said they don't know how many people they'll need for monitoring and inspections in 2019. Businesses have to renew their licenses every year while patients are required to do so every two years. The renewal fees are $2,500 for businesses and $100 for patients."It's impossible to forecast what the future obligations for operation for OMMA are, but we're on track at this point," Sellars said.OMMA is still waiting for the governor's signature on the new food safety standards rules.

Six months ago, Oklahomans voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana in the Sooner State.

As of last week, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has granted almost 23,000 patient licenses and thousands more on the business side -- caregivers, dispensaries, growers and processors -- racking up $8.8 million in application fees alone.


Despite the project's success, though, officials said there are still unknowns with the new law moving forward.

"It's been a very hectic time for us. It's been all hands on deck," said Tony Sellars, with the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

To keep up with the demand, the OMMA might hire more workers. At this point, however, officials said they don't know how many people they'll need for monitoring and inspections in 2019.

Businesses have to renew their licenses every year while patients are required to do so every two years. The renewal fees are $2,500 for businesses and $100 for patients.

"It's impossible to forecast what the future obligations for operation for OMMA are, but we're on track at this point," Sellars said.

OMMA is still waiting for the governor's signature on the new food safety standards rules.