It would be easy to assume that states like California, Washington and Colorado, places where the legalization of cannabis first got its momentum, would be home to the most dispensaries. But 2024 data from the Pew Research Center paints a different picture. It is Oklahoma, a state where cannabis is only medically legal, that has the most dispensaries per capita, with 36 dispensaries for 100,000 residents. In total, the state is home to a total of 1,405 dispensaries, a surprising figure when compared to states where cannabis has been legal for quite some time. For example, there are 1,054 dispensaries in Colorado, while California’s tally sits at 3,659.
Though Oklahoma legalized medical marijuana in 2018, measures to establish a recreational program in the state have since failed. Yet, a booming industry persists, likely due to low startup costs and lax state guidelines. Initial licensing fees in Oklahoma start at $2,500, compared to Arizona, where that number spikes to $25,000.
Guidelines pertaining to the legal cultivation and distribution of cannabis differ from state to state; with many states limiting the amount of dispensary and cultivation licenses that can be issued. Up until 2022, there was no cap on the number of dispensaries and cultivation sites in Oklahoma, leading to thousands of active licenses across the state. A moratorium was issued and has been extended until August. However, a recently introduced bill would impose a set limit on commercial licenses.
Changing legal framework is constant in the cannabis industry, and Oklahoma’s industry is no different. While 2026 could bring many changes to the state’s cannabis industry, a need to pivot and adjust will remain necessary.