House Media

OKLAHOMA CITY – A new law prohibiting edible medical marijuana products from being made in the shape of humans, cartoons or animals, or in a form of commercially available candy takes effect Nov. 1. Rep. Carl Newton, R-Cherokee, authored House Bill 4454 . The measure also requires edible medical marijuana products to clearly indicate the number of servings of THC in each package and the amount of THC in each individual serving. This includes drinks and beverages. "These changes are intended to better protect children from accidental ingestion of these potent products and to help us better inform consumers about recommended dosage amounts," Newton said. HB4454 specifies that edible marijuana products shall not be attractive to children. They cannot use any image or words designed or likely to appeal to anyone under the age of 18. This includes but is not limited to cartoons, toys, animals, food or depictions of persons younger than 18, including any characters or phrases popularly used to advertise to those under 18. Oklahoma voters approved medical marijuana in the state in 2018 through State Question 788. The question was brought to the ballot by voters themselves through the initiative petition process.  Newton, who is a practicing optometrist, said he's aware that some in the industry have complained about the changes this new law will require to manufacturing and packaging, but his efforts are to keep the public safe. "We've got to protect our kids and make sure they don't get sick or worse thinking they are just eating some colorful candy," Newton said. "We also owe it to consumers to be clear about how much THC is contained in each package. This makes sure patients are fully informed on the medical marijuana they are taking to prevent overmedicating." HB4454 amends existing state statute. There are no new penalties in the law for licensed processors. They already are subject to up to two yearly inspections by the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority. Those found deficient have one month to correct or face a $500 fine per deficiency. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Two new laws taking effect Nov. 1 will further strengthen Oklahoma's administrative rules process by requiring state agencies to demonstrate clear legal authority for their regulations and making agency guidance documents more accessible to the public. House Bill 4319 , authored by Rep. Gerrid Kendrix, R-Altus, requires clear legal authority for agency rules, which carry the weight of law. Senate Bill 1433 , the Guidance Transparency Act, carried by Rep. Rob Hall, R-Tulsa, requires agencies to make guidance documents publicly available and submit them for publication in a centralized, searchable format. Administrative rules are the regulations written by state agencies to enforce laws passed by the Legislature and carry the force of law. After being approved by the agency, proposed rules move to the Legislature for approval. "Administrative agencies have a responsibility to carry out the laws passed by the Legislature, but they must do so in a transparent way and within the bounds of what the law specifically allows," said Kendrix, who chairs the House Administrative Rules Committee. "We have made significant and much-needed reforms to this process over the last three years, and I appreciate my colleagues' support of these measures and the work Representative Hall has done to continue building on this important work." HB4319 limits state agencies to adopting rules supported by specific and explicit authorization in state law rather than relying solely on general statements of rulemaking authority. The law also strengthens legislative review by requiring lawmakers to determine whether proposed rules have specific statutory authorization and fall within the scope of that authority. In addition, agencies must review existing rules and determine whether they meet the requirements within three years or risk noncompliant rules being repealed. "House Bill 4319 reinforces the Legislature's constitutional authority in making law," Kendrix said. "By strengthening the emphasis on specific statutory authority, we can confirm agencies implement intended legislative policy rather than establishing requirements without proper authorization from the elected officials tasked with lawmaking responsibility." SB1433 addresses another part of the regulatory process: agency guidance documents that communicate official policies, interpretations or recommendations but are not necessarily formal administrative rules. The Guidance Transparency Act requires certain state agencies to make guidance documents available for public inspection online or at their primary places of business. Agencies also must submit the documents to the Secretary of State's Office of Administrative Rules for publication in a centralized, searchable format and keep the information current. "Making agency guidance more accessible gives Oklahomans a clearer picture of how decisions are made and what they can expect when working with state government," Hall said. "I believe this change will make a meaningful difference for people trying to navigate those processes. Greater transparency also brings greater accountability, and that's something that benefits everyone." Together, the measures build on recent efforts to limit agency overreach and restore accountability to Oklahoma’s administrative rulemaking process. In 2025, the Legislature enacted four major reforms addressing legislative oversight, agency authority and public accountability. The Secretary of State's Office also launched rules.ok.gov , an online portal where Oklahomans can review proposed rules, submit public comments and sign up for updates on agency rulemaking. 

OKLAHOMA CITY – Those who commit repeat peeping Tom offenses will face harsher penalties under an act that takes effect Nov. 1.  Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, is the author of House Bill 4104 . The new law will require repeat offenders and those who record others secretly in private spaces to register as sex offenders. "Watching or recording someone in a private space without their knowledge or consent is invasive and abusive and should be appropriately punished," Ford said. "We, of course, hope that stronger punishments will deter these crimes, but at the very least they will assure justice is served against those who choose to commit these offenses."  Ford explained the bill deals with three subsections of Oklahoma's Peeping Tom statute. One addresses watching people in a clandestine manner, such as watching someone changing clothes through a window, which is currently a misdemeanor. Another deals with attempting to take photos of peoples' private areas while they are in the public – also a misdemeanor. A third addresses an individual who hides a camera in a private area such as a locker or dressing room or a space where people would assume privacy when the offense involves three or more victims. This bill would turn second or subsequent misdemeanor offenses under this area of statute into felonies and require any felony offender to register as a sex offender. Perpetrators will face imprisonment of between one to five years and fines of up to $5,000. Ford said requiring offenders to register as sex offenders will grant greater public transparency and allow law enforcement to better protect the public moving forward. The measure was requested by the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence (SAFE) Board, which is staffed by the office of the state's attorney general. Ford also is the author of House Bill 4108 , which adds trespass or willful damage to the operational area of an airport to the list of crimes punishable by misdemeanor. This too takes effect Nov. 1 The bill specifies the operational area of an airport is to be considered as critical infrastructure. Those found guilty will face a fine of not less than $1,000 or imprisonment in a county jail for a term of six months or both. An organization found to be a conspirator will face a $10,000 fine. "Airports are vital to our national transportation system," Ford said. "It's important we keep public travelers and airport staff safe not only from terrorist attacks but even from thoughtless pranksters whose actions can create havoc, delay travel or cause costly damage to these structures."