Although the April monthly report from the Oklahoma Tax Commission (OTC) shows that medical marijuana sales in Seminole County dropped dramatically in March compared to the previous month, sales in March were actually above average, but appear small following an amazingly high report for sales in February.

Statewide, the OTC April report shows marijuana sales increased following a drop in collections in the previous report.

According to the April release from the OTC, medical marijuana tax revenue brought in a total of $42,462.83 to Seminole County during the month of March. This was $87,888.09 less than the $130,350.92 that was collected in the previous month.

To help put how surprising last month’s increase was in perspective, the amount collected in January, the month before the highly unusual February report, was $28,125.88.

Marijuana sales are subject to state and local taxes, just like any other commercial product. Likewise, sales tax revenue funds are returned to the local City, County and State entities where they were collected. The latest report shows collections from March.

The April OTC report shows the total for Seminole County included $13,671.13 collected in City/County tax and $12,553.14 collected in State tax for a combined total of $26,224.27 in local and state sales tax.

The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) does not receive sales tax money. The OMMA website explains that, instead, SQ 788 authorized a 7% excise tax on retail sales of medical marijuana and medical marijuana products - sales from dispensaries to patients. This revenue goes first to OMMA’s authorized budget. Then, 75% of the revenue from excise tax collections goes into the State’s general revenue, and can only be spent for common education, while the other 25% of excess revenue is apportioned to OSDH and earmarked for drug and alcohol rehabilitation and prevention.

The April (March) excise tax collected from Seminole County was $16,238.56, according to the OTC report. These funds are included with the City/County and State taxes to reach the previously stated total of $42,462.83 collected in Seminole County.

The April report shows that the City of Seminole generated $38,740.25 of the tax revenue that was returned to Seminole County. This was $86,942.36 than last month’s return of $125,682.61.

This month’s return included $12,326.85 in city/county taxes and $11,622.49 in state tax for a total of $23,949.34. An additional $14,790.91 in excise tax brought the total to $38,740.25, according to the OTC report.

The April report shows that the City of Wewoka generated $3,722.58 in marijuana tax revenue. This was $945.73 less than last month’s $4,668.31 return.

This month’s Wewoka return included $1,344.28 in city/county taxes and $930.65 in State tax plus $1,447.65 in excise tax. Statewide, marijuana sales generated a total of $16,923,455.02 for Oklahoma, according to the April (March) report. This was $7,382,188.22 more than last month’s $9,541,266.80 total. This included $6,724,366.00 in total city and county taxes plus $6,865,747.30 in total state taxes for a sub-total of $13,590,113.30 combined, plus $3,334,304.65 in excise taxes to reach the $16,923,455.02 overall grand total.

Oklahoma voters authorized the state’s medical marijuana program in 2018 with their approval of State Question 788. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) was created as the regulatory agency for the state’s medical marijuana program. OMMA was part of the Oklahoma State Department of Health until October 31, 2022. It became an independent state agency on Nov. 1, 2022, when SB 1543 took effect.