OMMA's Inventory Deep Dive: Auditor Unearths Tracking Troubles

Hey there, Chronic Fam! Gizmo here, your favorite furry fact-finder and chief leaf enthusiast, back on the keyboard with my paws firmly planted on a topic that might seem a little... well, auditory. No, I'm not talking about listening to your favorite reggae tunes (though you should totally do that!). I'm talking about an audit – a deep dive into the inner workings of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority, our very own OMMA. And trust me, when the State Auditor and Inspector, Cindy Byrd, drops a report, my ears perk right up like I heard a treat bag crinkle!

So, what did Auditor Byrd's team dig up? Their report covers a pretty significant chunk of time – from November 1, 2022, right up to June 30, 2024. This is a crucial period, folks, because it's the first year and a half after OMMA officially became a standalone state agency. Think of it as OMMA’s adolescent phase – lots of growth, maybe a few awkward moments, and definitely some learning curves. The audit's not questioning if medical marijuana should exist (thank goodness!), but rather if OMMA itself has its ducks – or in this case, its inventory – in a neat, trackable row. And the bottom line, straight from the auditor’s kennel, isn’t exactly a tail-wagging success story.

The Nitty-Gritty: What the Auditor Dug Up

The formal conclusion is pretty stark: "The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority’s internal control system is not operating effectively in line with Government Accountability Office standards to ensure inventory — including seized marijuana and marijuana products — is properly tracked and that the records are reliable." Woof. That's a mouthful, but essentially, it means OMMA isn't tracking its stuff the way it should be.

Excel Spreadsheets & Dual Roles? Oh My!

Now, let’s sniff out some specifics. For things like their regular agency and IT equipment, OMMA was, during this audit period, still relying on an Excel spreadsheet. An Excel spreadsheet, Chronic Fam! In this day and age, for a modern state agency overseeing a multi-million dollar industry? That’s like trying to navigate rush hour traffic with a paper map from the 90s! While they did move to a new system called Asset Panda in February 2025, that’s after the audit period. So, for a year and a half, our regulator was on spreadsheet patrol.

But wait, there's more! The same person who was responsible for reviewing inventory counts also had the power to add or delete items from that very same system. Imagine if the person counting the cookies also had the key to the cookie jar and no one else was checking! And to top it off, these crucial reviews weren't even formally documented. This isn't just a minor oversight; it’s a setup that invites problems, creating a serious risk of things going unnoticed.

Seized & Stored: The Cannabis Conundrum

Now, let’s get to the part that hits a little closer to home for our medical marijuana community: the seized cannabis. During 2023, OMMA’s Investigations and Enforcement Division was busy, conducting eleven seizures under search warrants. When they confiscated product, it was weighed, logged into their system, and then tucked away in those big Conex shipping containers at a secure location. Sounds pretty buttoned up, right? They were holding onto all that product, waiting for the courts to decide its fate.

However, the auditors found a gaping hole here. There were no independent, formally documented inventory counts of these seized products during the entire audit period. None! And when the auditors tried to cross-reference a specific search warrant with the Conex storage logs, they found the logs were so vague they couldn’t clearly show what had actually been taken. It's like trying to find a specific bone in a giant pile of... well, evidence. If the logs aren't clear, and no one's independently verifying the counts, how can we be sure everything is accounted for?

The risk here is crystal clear, my friends. Without those independent, documented counts and reviews, assets can simply vanish without anyone barking up a tree in time. And when those assets are crucial evidence in potential criminal cases – cases that could affect our industry, our patients, and the reputation of our program – poorly tracked or missing inventory can severely undermine the state’s legal position. That’s a pretty big deal, wouldn't you agree?

Growing Pains & Policy Shifts

This audit report also sheds light on some larger growing pains at OMMA. Remember, they only became a standalone agency in November 2022. Building an entire agency from the ground up, especially one regulating such a unique and evolving industry, is no small feat. The report notes high turnover, particularly in the Director of Investigations and Enforcement role. Imagine trying to build a strong team when key players keep changing positions – it makes continuity incredibly difficult.

Auditors also pointed out weaknesses in how policies were documented, how information flowed (or didn't flow) across the agency, and unclear lines of accountability. In short, the "tone at the top" and the basic control environment needed a lot of work as the agency was scrambling to scale up. It's tough to keep track of every paw print when everyone's still learning which way the leash goes.

Thankfully, it seems some lessons have been learned. By May 2024, OMMA formalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Attorney General’s office. Under this new agreement, the AG’s Organized Crime Task Force has taken over primary responsibility for most seizure and evidence handling. While OMMA agents still participate, the bulk of that crucial evidence is now maintained by the Attorney General’s office. This is a significant shift, taking a huge logistical burden off OMMA’s shoulders and hopefully bringing more robust, independent oversight to evidence management.

OMMA's Tail-Waggin' Response & What's Next

So, how did OMMA respond to all these findings? Their officials gave a pretty measured response. They explained that they were dealing with massive amounts of illicit product at licensed facilities and felt a public-safety duty to make sure it didn’t just sit unsecured. They also frankly admitted that they lacked the personnel and resources to handle seizures long-term, which is why they partnered with the Attorney General, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, and local law enforcement. That's a fair point – sometimes you need to call in the big dogs when the load gets too heavy.

Looking forward, OMMA says it will formalize its inventory documentation. They've also committed to following the auditor's recommendation that the folks counting inventory shouldn’t also be the ones who can change the records – a crucial separation of duties. And they promise to improve the level of detail in those all-important logs. Leadership also highlighted ongoing internal efforts like performance reviews, training programs, town-hall meetings, and employee newsletters as steps they’re taking to strengthen their internal controls and overall agency culture. Sounds like they’re trying to teach some new tricks, and that’s a good thing!

Chronic Fam, let's be clear: this audit isn't about some massive scandal involving missing millions or criminal accusations against OMMA staff. It’s a performance audit, a check-up on how efficiently and effectively our regulatory agency is operating. But it does unequivocally state that the regulator of Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program didn't have effective, documented controls over its own inventory – including the very marijuana it seized as evidence. In a program that's been through so much already – huge license reductions, constant enforcement actions, and unending political pressure – patients and taxpayers alike have a right to expect that the agency enforcing the rules can keep its own records clean and transparent.

The State Auditor has now laid out these findings for all to see. My paws are crossed, and my tail is ready to wag with anticipation to see whether OMMA truly implements these promised changes. Because when it comes to the integrity and future of Oklahoma's medical marijuana program, having our regulator's house in order isn't just good practice – it's absolutely essential for all of us.

This topic was covered on the Chronic News Show on Chronic TV.

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