Bulletin OKLAHOMA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
WINTER 2025-26
Merry Christmas Sending you love, peace, and joy this holiday season
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Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 1
OKLAHOMA CITY METRO • NORTHWEST OKLAHOMA • TULSA METRO + GRAND LAKE
Bulletin
313 Northeast 50th Street, Suite 2 Oklahoma City, OK 73105-1830 phone: 405-702-0500 fax: 405-702-0501 email: ocms@okcountymed.org
Winter 2025-26
Volume 98
Number 4
Four Annual Publications
www.okcountymed.org
TABLE OF CONTENTS
OFFICERS
Thank You To Our Sponsors/Advertisers........................6
Bradley J. Margo, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President Arielle M. Allen, DO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . President-Elect Pooja Singhal, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Vice President David Korber, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Secretary-Treasurer Matthew J. Jared, MD . . . . . . . Immediate Past President
President’s Page....................................................................7 INT Update.........................................................................10 OCMS Annual Meeting....................................................12 Our 50-Year Physicians.....................................................14 Director’s Dialogue............................................................16
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
For OCMS Members Only................................................19
Tauseef Ali, MD Alisa Cross, MD Betsy Jett, MD Randal Juengel, MD Amanda Levine, MD Robert Leonard, MD
TRIBUTE: Life’s Two Moments.......................................20 Law & Medicine.................................................................22 Laugh With Me..................................................................28
EXECUTIVE OFFICE
Alison Williams . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Executive Director Rebecca Carr . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Associate Director
BOARD OF CENSORS R. Kevin Moore, MD Lisa J. Wasemiller-Smith, MD Basel S. Hassoun, MD
EDITORIAL BOARD Hanna A. Saadah, MD Editor S.S. Sanbar, MD, PhD, JD Assistant Editor Anureet K. Bajaj, MD H. T. Kurkjian, MD Christopher Jordan, MD Jennifer Morris, MD Betsy M. Nolan, MD Tomás P. Owens, MD
Adam McConnell, MD Ryan Morgan, DO Hakeem Shakir, MD Nigam Sheth, MD Mark Shreve, MD Irim Yasin, MD
Ashley Weedn, MD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . OSMA Trustee
Janet G. Rodgers, MD Chittur A. Sivaram, MD Michael D. Taylor, MD William P. Truels, MD Elizabeth A. Wickersham, MD
Ian F. Dunn, MD, FACS, FAANS . . . . . . Executive Dean University of Oklahoma College of Medicine
Ideas and opinions expressed in editorials and feature articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily express the official opinion of the Oklahoma County Medical Society.
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2 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
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Continues on page 8 … Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 7
President’s Page
A
Bradley J. Margo, MD
S WE CLOSE OUT 2025 AND REFLECT ON THE WORK OF OCMS, IT’S CLEAR THAT THIS YEAR WAS DEFINED BY STRENGTHENING THE PHYSICIAN COMMUNITY FROM THE INSIDE OUT. AT A TIME WHEN PHYSICIANS ACROSS T H E C OU N T RY FACE I NCR E A SI NG PR E S SU R E , OC MS REMAINED FOCUSED ON WHAT MATTERS MOST: EQUIPPING OUR MEMBERS WITH THE TOOLS, RELATIONSHIPS, AND KNOWLEDGE THEY NEED TO PRACTICE CONFIDENTLY AND COLLABORATIVELY.
8 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
In Fall 2025, we launched a session on the basics,
Looking ahead to 2026, our focus on physician
the “schoolhouse rock” of advocacy. Whether
well-being will expand even further. Mental health
discussing the nuances between PACs and independent
will take center stage, with new trainings already in
expenditure groups, or learning the basics of legisla-
development to support physicians personally and
tive engagement, participants walked away with the
professionally. These sessions will give our members
confidence to communicate directly with legislators.
practical strategies for care, resilience, and balance
Our scope and supervision programming also stood
Oklahoma County physicians are powerful when we
out as a success. Through candid discussions with
speak together. Together, we can shape the future of
experts, we clarified confusion and addressed
medicine in Oklahoma, elevate standards, support one
misinformation. These trainings ensured that members
another, and build a healthier future for Oklahomans.
understood both the practical realities and the broader
OCMS will continue to stand with you, support
implications of scope expansion work happening
you, and amplify your impact. When physicians unite,
across the state.
their influence is unmistakable.
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9601 N. May Ave, Oklahoma City NMLS#1215182 Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 9
INAUGURAL CELEBRATION
02.06.2026 6:00PM
HONORING 2026 PRESIDENT DR. ARIELLE ALLEN
+ special guest AMA PRESIDENT DR. BOBBY MUKKAMALA 7000 NW Grand, OKC
Tickets and early bird discount available
10 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
Comfort • Care • Compassion Early hospice referrals provide patients and families with more time for comfort, dignity and support. INTEGRIS Health Hospice enhances the quality of life for those facing terminal illness, whether at home or in our dedicated Hospice House for inpatient care. Discover the benefits of hospice and palliative care with INTEGRIS Health Hospice.
Scan the QR code to learn more.
integrishealth.org/hospice • 405-848-8884 Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 11
A Decade of Driving Better Health for Older Adults ITN Central Oklahoma Celebrates 10th Anniversary
T
Dr. Mark Mellow, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Patty Mellow, and Patsy Gaberino, award winner at the ITN Central Oklahoma meeting.
ransportation is a critical—but often underestimated—determinant of health for older adults. Missed appointments, delayed diagnoses, and poor chronic disease management frequently stem from mobility barriers rather than patient unwillingness. For the past decade, ITN Central Oklahoma has been addressing this challenge head-on. Founded 10 years ago by Dr. Mark Mellow and other community leaders with support from the Oklahoma County Medical Society, ITN was created to offer a low-cost, technology-free transportation option for adults 65+ and individuals who are visually impaired in Oklahoma County. Unlike app-based services, ITN is accessible by phone and designed specifically for seniors.
12 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
This year, ITN celebrated its 10th anniversary, honoring long-term board members for their instrumental role in launching and sustaining the organization. A Decade of Dedication Award was also presented to Governor Bill Anoatubby of the Chickasaw Nation, recognizing the Nation’s longstanding support and leadership in promoting transportation access for older citizens. ITN provides door-through-door service tailored to each individual. With an average rider age of 86, drivers offer hands-on support—assisting with seat belts, walkers, bags, steps, and doorways—along with friendly conversation that helps combat social isolation. In its first decade, ITN Central Oklahoma has provided over 14,000 free or reduced-cost rides and
Drs. Murali Krishna and Tomas Owens
Dr. Mark Mellow, Kathy Williams, Gov. Anoatubby, Marnie Taylor (President & CEO of Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits), Lt. Gov, Chris Anoatubby ITN rider, Charlie with Dr. Mark Mellow
driven nearly 200,000 miles, allowing older adults to reach medical appointments, pharmacies, grocery stores, social events, and other essential destinations.
How You Can Help As demand for senior transportation grows, ITN Central Oklahoma is a 501c3 nonprofit that needs community support to expand its reach. A charitable donation helps ensure that safe, dignified transportation remains accessible to older adults who rely on it for their health, independence, and quality of life. For retired physicians, ITN also offers a meaningful way to stay connected to patient care by becoming a volunteer driver—just as Dr. Mellow continues to do. Even one ride a month can make a profound difference in someone’s life.
Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby addresses the crowd
Your support—whether through giving or volunteering—helps ensure that every older adult in our community can safely get where they need to go. Visit ITNCentralOklahoma.org or call 405-602-1558.
ITNCentralOklahoma.org Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 13
A S alute to
Our 50-Year Physicians M. Terry Anderson MD Kerry Wayne Cranmer MD Ray A. Drain MD David E. Fisher MD Robert D. Gourley MD Jeffrey G. Hirsch MD John H. Holliman MD Alan B. Hollingsworth MD Gary L. Massad MD Jerome P. Mathias MD Michael McGee MD Euan M. McMillan MD Janet G. Rodgers MD Timothy D. Siler MD Rebecca Goen Stough MD James A. Totoro MD Jerry B. Vannatta MD Wayne L. Wasemiller MD Michael L. Winzenread MD
14 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 15
BULLETIN
Alison Williams
DIRECTOR’S DIALOGUE 2025 was a doozy. Throughout the year, in conversations with physicians across Oklahoma County, I heard a tone I have never heard so clearly or so consistently: real strain from insurance burdens, deep concern for the future of Oklahomans’ health, and worry about physicians’ own well-being. These pressures were felt in every specialty and every setting. As Dr. Margo noted
in his editorial, we are focused on ensuring that physicians can stand together to build a healthier future. We have great events lined up for 2026. We begin the year with the OCMS Inaugural honoring Arielle M. Allen, DO, who will be celebrated as the incoming President of OCMS. We are delighted to recognize her leadership and are pleased to welcome a special guest,
Modhi Gude, MD, MRCP, FACP, FACE (Former Clinical Professor of Medicine, OUHSC)
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16 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
Open Monday-Friday 8:30 AM-5:30 PM
Bobby Mukkamala, MD, President of the American Medical Association. This is an event you will not want to miss. Be sure to scan the QR code on this page to reserve your tickets or support a medical student who would like to attend. Behind the scenes, we continue modernizing our infrastructure to better serve members. In early 2026, we will launch a secure physician-to-physician messaging system within our website. This system will make it easier for members to connect with colleagues, share insights, and build professional relationships with just a few clicks. Membership remains at the heart of everything we do. Through the Physician Leadership Academy, networking events, mentorship opportunities, and community programs, we are committed to hosting sessions that are relevant and meaningful to your practice and your life. Informative sessions highlighted the 2025 OCMS Annual Meeting.
Continues on page 18 …
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DIRECTOR’S DIALOGUE Continued from page 17…
Dr. Brad Margo addresses those in attendance at the OCMS Annual Meeting in November.
We are partnering with OSMA to provide a Women in Medicine Summit, multiple sessions on physician wellness, social events, and programming that supports physicians who are retired or planning for retirement. OCMS is also exploring quarterly
meetings that encourage conversation about the future of medicine in Oklahoma County. As we move into 2026, I am hopeful for all we will accomplish together and honored to support the physicians who care for Oklahoma County every day.
APPOINTMENTS: 405.230.9270 24/7 ORTHOPEDIC ER: 405.486.2140
18 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
Regular/Full-Time Members Only We want to inform you of updates to your membership. You have new options, and we need your help to streamline the invoicing process.
Full - Option 1
Full Membership Dues
OCMS: $280 & OSMA: $300
Total: $580
Auto - Option 2
Auto-Renew Discount
OCMS: $280 & OSMA: $240
Scan to Please call Submit Your our office at Preference 405-702-0500 to discuss Text Your Category the options to 405-390-7218
Total: $520
Subsidized - Option 3 Economic Impact on Practice OCMS: $280 & OSMA: $150
Total: $430
Dues for all other membership categories (Life, Retired, First Year, Second Year, New)
remain unchanged.
WWW.OKCOUNTYMED.ORG Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 19
A TRIBUTE
M
y 47-year-old-son, Nicholas, died of metastatic prostate cancer, surrounded by family. When my time comes, I wish I could be as calm and as brave as he was when he confronted death.
Dr. Hanna Saadah with his son, the late Nicholas Saadah. 20 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
LIFE’S T WO MOMENTS Life thrives between two seminal moments Between the two moments of birth and death These two moments encompass all of life Because without birth there can be no life And also, without death, there can be no life Life can only thrive between these two moments. But death is relative, not absolute For life asserts itself with memories Memories sustain life, they persevere Between the two moments of other lives Continue to influence other lives Their influence goes on and does not stop. Nicholas died but still lives within us His well-lived, well-loved, adventurous life Continues to enliven our spirits; His memory is our souls’ nutrition It nourishes, nurtures, and sustains us I sense and see him everywhere I glance. I find solace in William Wordsworth’s ode: Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower We will grieve not, rather find Strength in what remains behind; In the primal sympathy Which having been must ever be; In the soothing thoughts that spring Out of human suffering; In the faith that looks through death, In the years that bring the philosophic mind. For more solace, I return to Walt Whitman When he tried to answer a child’s question: What is the grass? The grass is the handkerchief of the Lord, Is the beautiful uncut hair of graves, The smallest spouts show that there is no death, Death leads life forward, nothing collapses All goes outward and onward and to die Is different from what anyone supposed And luckier.
My adieu poem echoes within me: Yes, I am well aware That nothing lasts Beyond the moment’s edge That life at first will crawl Then springs like roses Marvelous, and tall Then browns And all the petals fall And scatter through the air Only the thorns remain On branches, pleading, bare With every thorn a pain, Yes, I am well aware. Good-bye Meadows of sun and song And falls of sighing height And peaks where sky-full souls belong And thoughts winged with delight Good-bye, love-gladdened heart Spring has wintered And the birds have flown Alone I labor in the nights, alone Awaiting answers orphaned from their questions. But love is never lost It softens life Unburdens, beautifies Restores the broken souls Redeems the spring within the vacant eyes Awakens seeds from dust. Love is not lost It flows from rose to flower like a bee And every heart it liberates is free To reach the height of smiles The depth of tears The mighty calm of peace Unnerved by fears The kindness of the cross That nails our souls together And changes us forever. Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 21
LAW & MEDICINE The Physician-Patient Relationship in the Age of AI: Then, Now, and What’s Next Compiled by S. Sandy Sanbar, MD, PhD, JD, FCLM, DABLM
1. Before AI: The Traditional Physician-Patient Relationship
2. The AI Era: How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing the Relationship
The physician-patient relationship has long been the cornerstone of medical practice. Rooted in trust, empathy, and communication, this relationship was historically built through face-to-face interactions, physical examinations, and longitudinal care. Physicians were seen not only as diagnosticians but also as confidants, educators, and advocates.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is now reshaping the physician-patient relationship in profound ways. From ambient listening tools to predictive analytics, AI is being integrated into clinical workflows to reduce administrative burden, enhance decision-making, and personalize care.
In the pre-digital era, medical records were handwritten, and documentation was minimal. Physicians then spent the majority of their time in direct patient care, with fewer administrative burdens. The intimacy of the clinical encounter allowed for deeper understanding of the patient’s values, fears, and social context—factors essential to shared decision-making and therapeutic alliance. However, as healthcare systems grew more complex and data-driven, the introduction of electronic health records (EHRs) in the early 2000s began to shift the previous dynamic. While EHRs improved legibility and data access, they also introduced new challenges: increased documentation requirements, fragmented workflows, and screen-focused interactions. Studies showed that physicians were spending nearly twice as much time on EHR tasks as on face-to-face patient care, leading to a sense of disconnection and contributing to rising burnout. 22 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
One of the most visible changes is the emergence of ambient AI scribes, which are tools that listen to clinical conversations and automatically generate draft notes. These systems allow physicians to maintain eye contact, engage more naturally, and focus on the patient rather than the keyboard. A 2025 analysis by The Permanente Medical Group found that AI scribes saved physicians the equivalent of 1,794 working days in one year and improved both physician and patient satisfaction. AI is also transforming how physicians prepare for and conduct visits. Summarization tools can extract key insights from a patient’s longitudinal record, surfacing relevant labs, imaging, and prior notes. This reduces the time spent on chart review and allows clinicians to enter the exam room better informed and more present. Moreover, predictive documentation support, which suggests likely diagnoses, orders, and documentation phrases, helps streamline note completion and reduces cognitive load. These tools are especially helpful in high-volume settings like primary care and emergency medicine, where decision fatigue is common.
However, the integration of AI also introduces new complexities. Some patients may feel uneasy about AI “listening” to their visits, while others may worry that AI is replacing human judgment. Physicians must navigate these concerns with transparency, ensuring that patients understand AI is a tool, not a substitute, for clinical expertise.
That said, the success of AI in strengthening the physician-patient relationship depends on thoughtful implementation. Physicians must be trained not only in how to use AI tools, but also in how to communicate their role to patients. Ethical considerations, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and informed consent, must be addressed transparently.
3. The Impact of AI Workload Improvements on the Physician-Patient Relationship
Conclusion: Reclaiming the Human in Medicine
Perhaps the most promising aspect of AI in healthcare is its potential to restore the human connection that has been eroded by digital documentation demands. By reducing the time physicians spend on clerical tasks, AI creates space for more meaningful interactions. Several studies in 2024 and 2025 have shown that AI tools, particularly ambient scribes, lead to measurable improvements in physician well-being and patient experience. For example: • A Mass General Brigham study found a 21.2% reduction in burnout among clinicians using ambient AI scribes.
The physician-patient relationship is not being replaced by AI; it is being redefined. In the best-case scenario, AI acts as a silent partner: handling the administrative load, surfacing relevant data, and freeing clinicians to do what they do best which are connect, listen, and heal. As we move forward, the challenge is not whether AI will change the physician-patient relationship, but how we will shape that change. With careful design, ethical oversight, and a genuine commitment to human-centered care, AI can help us reclaim the time, attention, and empathy that define the art of medicine. References
• Emory Healthcare reported a 30.7% increase in documentation-related well-being within 60 days of implementation.
1) Olson KD et al. Use of Ambient AI Scribes to Reduce Administrative Burden and Professional Burnout. JAMA Network Open. October 2, 2025. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/ jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2839542
• A Yale-led study across six health systems confirmed lower short-term burnout and improved patient communication in ambulatory settings.
2) Becker’s Hospital Review AI scribes linked to drop in burnout, study finds https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/healthcare-information-technology/ai/ ai-scribes-linked-to-drop-in-burnout-study-finds/
These improvements are not just about efficiency— they are about presence. When physicians are less burdened by documentation, they can listen more attentively, respond more empathetically, and engage in shared decision-making with greater clarity. Patients, in turn, feel more heard, respected, and involved in their care.
3) Clinical Advisor Ambient Artificial Intelligence Scribe Linked to Reduction in Burnout https://www.clinicaladvisor.com/news/ ambient-artificial-intelligence-scribe-linked-reduction-burnout/
AI also enables more personalized medicine. By analyzing large datasets, AI can help identify patterns, predict risks, and tailor treatment plans to individual patients. This enhances the physician’s ability to offer proactive, data-informed care while still honoring the patient’s preferences and values.
4) Mass General Brigham Ambient Documentation Technologies Reduce Physician Burnout and Restore ‘Joy’ in Medicine https://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/en/about/newsroom/press-releases/ ambient-documentation-technologies-reduce-physician-burnout 5) American Medical Association (AMA) How much can ambient AI scribes help cut doctor burnout? https://www. ama-assn.org/practice-management/physician-health/ how-much-can-ambient-ai-scribes-help-cut-doctor-burnout 6) Journal of Urgent Care Medicine AI Scribes Reduce Workload, Burnout Among Clinicians https://www.jucm.com/ ai-scribes-reduce-workload-burnout-among-clinicians/ Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 23
LAW & MEDICINE 2025 Update: FDA, Cannabis Industry and Legal Cases Compiled by S. Sandy Sanbar, MD, PhD, JD, FCLM, DABLM
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) In 2025, THC is still classified as a Schedule I substance under federal law. The FDA has not yet established comprehensive regulations for cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including THC. It is illegal to prescribe THC, but it may be recommended in most states. THC does not require a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) at this time, because the Schedule I classification indicates that it is considered to have a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. This limits the FDA’s ability to regulate it in the same way as other medications. In contrast, CBD is classified as schedule III. It is legal in the U.S. and may be prescribed by doctors. The FDA’s approach to regulating cannabis and cannabis-derived products, including CBD and THC, is evolving as more research and interest in these substances grow. Its approach is focused on protecting public health, providing market clarity, and supporting scientific research to better understand the potential benefits and risks of cannabis and cannabis-derived products. 24 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
• The FDA has issued guidance documents to provide recommendations for the development and regulation of cannabis and cannabis-derived products. These documents outline quality considerations for clinical research and the requirements for Investigational New Drug (IND) applications. • The FDA supports scientific research on the safety and effectiveness of cannabis and cannabis-derived products. Clinical trials are needed to assess these substances for potential therapeutic uses. • It has provided guidance on quality considerations for cannabis and cannabis-derived compounds used in clinical research. This includes recommendations on sourcing, manufacturing, and testing to ensure product safety and efficacy. • It has acted against companies illegally selling cannabis products, including issuing warning letters and working with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to protect consumers from misleading claims and unsafe products. • The FDA has also acknowledged that the existing regulatory frameworks for foods and supplements are not appropriate for CBD. It is working with Congress to develop a new regulatory pathway.
Hearing Rescheduled to Move THC from Schedule I to Schedule III On May 21, 2024, the Justice Department proposed to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) after scientific review. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) set a rescheduling hearing for Dec. 2, 2024, to gather additional expert input. The DEA Chief Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) John Mulrooney delayed the evidentiary hearing on the merits of the rescheduling proposal into 2025. • Hemp for Victory and Village Farms International, filed motions raising concerns about the agency’s impartiality by pointing to its strong opposition to the rescheduling proposal despite the Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation. It also alleged engagement in unlawful ex parte communications with anti-cannabis group Smart Approaches to Marijuana. • Under the schedule established by Judge Mulrooney, testimony is set to begin on Jan. 21, 2025, and will continue through the week of March 3, 2025. • Section 280E of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits businesses such as cannabis involved in the cultivation, production, or sale of Schedule I drugs from deducting operating expenses for tax purposes. • If the proposed rule to move THC to Schedule III is finalized, the DEA has been careful to point out that the manufacture, distribution, dispensing, and possession of cannabis would remain subject to the applicable criminal provisions of the CSA. Any drug containing a substance within the CSA’s definition of “marijuana” (not “hemp”) would remain subject to the applicable provisions in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
Canna Provisions Inc. v. Garland In Canna Provisions Inc. et al. v. Garland, a coalition of cannabis companies challenged the constitutionality of the CSA. On July 10, 2024, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts dismissed the case. The plaintiffs argued, in opposition to the government’s motion to dismiss, that the CSA constituted congressional overreach under the Commerce Clause because it criminalized legal intrastate conduct within states that have legalized cannabis. The plaintiff also pointed to the federal government’s shift over the last two decades of abandoning the CSA’s goal of eliminating cannabis from interstate commerce as a reason that the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2005 decision in Gonzales v. Raich upholding the CSA warranted revisiting. Judge Mark G. Mastroianni rejected the argument that the circumstances under which Gonzalez was decided had changed so much that the opinion was no longer applicable precedent, concluding that Congress still has the power to regulate cannabis activities under the CSA pursuant to its authority under the Commerce Clause, even if those activities are intrastate and legal under state law. Judge Mastroianni further rejected the argument that CSA enforcement violates substantive due process rights, as there is no fundamental right to grow or consume cannabis.
Continues on page 26 …
LAW AND
MEDICINE
Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 25
LAW & MEDICINE Continued from page 25 …
Plaintiffs have appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit.
Intoxicating Hemp Regulation In 2018, the federal Farm Bill excluded hemp from the definition of “marijuana” under the CSA. Consequently, intoxicating hemp products, specifically hemp-derived food, beverage, and dietary products intended for human consumption, rapidly proliferated in the marketplace, leading many states to respond by cracking down on the sale and distribution of such products.1 At the federal level, the 2018 Farm Bill must be reauthorized in 2025.
403 adult-use cannabis licenses to bolster the legal market. The Board approved a resolution authorizing the issuance of adult-use cannabis licenses across the supply chain and empowered the Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) to issue provisional licenses to give holders the opportunity to begin operations swiftly and foster a competitive marketplace and strengthen the supply chain. On January 2, 2025, the OCM announced that the state’s adult-use cannabis market surpassed $1 billion in cumulative sales since retail operations launched in late 2022.
The Cannabis Industry
In September 2024, California’s Governor Newsom proposed “emergency regulations” effectively banning all intoxicating hemp products2; those regulations went into effect shortly thereafter, and a lawsuit challenging them failed.3 California’s emergency ban is set to expire on March 25, 2025.
The Florida-based, vertically integrated MSO Consortium, which operates under the Fluent brand, and RIV Capital, which operates Etain Health in New York, closed on December 19, 2024.5 The newly combined company will have operations in Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
New Jersey was enjoined in 2024 from enforcing its amended hemp law and to date has not indicated whether it intended to begin cracking down on hemp-derived THC products.
Also in December 2024, Vireo Growth, a multistate operator, announced that it had received $75 million in equity financing and had acquired four single-state cannabis operators, including Proper Brands.6 This expands Vireo’s operations to seven states, 48 dispensaries, 9 cultivation facilities, and over a million square feet of cultivation and manufacturing space. Vireo also acquired a cannabis delivery and analytics platform in the merger.
And in Texas, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick has proposed legislation banning all intoxicating hemp products in his state, despite growing public support for either full legalization or decriminalization of cannabis.
New York
Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn
In 2021, New York legalized adult-use cannabis. It put restorative justice at the center of its framework to prioritize people most harmed by the war on cannabis, in terms of licensing and financial support from the state. By March 2023, only six legal adult-use dispensaries were in operation throughout the state. 4
In 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the New York Cannabis Control Board (CCB) had issued 26 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
In October 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court7 heard oral argument in Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn, and will issue a decision in 2025. The lawsuit was brought by a truck driver who was fired from his job after a CBD wellness product, marketed as THC-free, that he took for chronic pain, caused him to fail a routine drug test. He sued the manufacturers of the product, a cannabis testing company, and John Does, who are
“the law firms, accountants and financial entities who have assisted Defendants” under the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO Act) for injury to his “business or property.” The district court granted summary judgment to defendants and dismissed the suit on grounds that plaintiff’s injury was personal. However, the Second Circuit8 held that while RICO’s language implies that a plaintiff cannot sue for personal injuries, that implication did not bar a plaintiff from suing for injuries to business or property simply because a personal injury was antecedent to those injuries. The Second Circuit noted that “the phrase ‘business or property’ focuses on the nature of the harm, not the source of the harm.” If the Supreme Court deems that personal injury “economic damages” constitute business or property injuries recoverable under civil RICO, this may open the gates to turning personal injury tort cases into civil RICO cases authorizing treble damages and attorneys’ fees. If the plaintiff wins the appeal, his case will be returned to the district courts for further proceedings.
Endnotes 1 Moving the Goalposts: State Regulation of Hemp-Derived Cannabinoids | Cannabis Business Times. “States that have banned intoxicating hemp products, namely delta-8 THC, include Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Washington, and West Virginia; while states like Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, and Virginia restrict all THCs by weight per serving.” 2 Hemp-Derived THC Products Now Illegal in California After OAL Approval | Cannabis Business Times 3 California Judge Denies TRO Request That Attempted to Halt State’s Ban on Hemp-Derived THC Products | Cannabis Business Times 4 New York Legalizes Adult-Use Cannabis | Cannabis Business Times 5 FLUENT Completes Acquisition of RIV Capital, Adding New York Operations to Footprint | Cannabis Business Times 6 Vireo Growth Inc. Announces $75 Million Financing 7 Medical Marijuana, Inc. v. Horn - SCOTUSblog 8 Horn v. Medical Marijuana, Inc., No. 22-349 (2d Cir. 2023) :: Justia
LAW AND
MEDICINE
*Dr. Sanbar is an Adjunct Professor of Medical Education, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center; Executive Director and Past Chairman and Diplomat, American Board of Legal Medicine; and Past President and Fellow, American College of Legal Medicine. He is a health law attorney and a retired cardiologist.
Winter 2025-26 | The Bulletin 27
When during the seventeenth century, white-haired Lady Myrcella was publicly accused of dying her hair. She vehemently denied the accusation by affirming that she has no need to dye her hair. A local cavalier poet published the following lyric in Lady Myrcella’s defense: Myrcella dyes her hair; oh no! Nobody should have thought it. She cannot dye her hair because I know from where she bought it.
by Hanna Saadah
If you have a lighthearted, funny bone-tickling joke you would like to share with our readers for this new feature, please send your submission to hannasaadah@hotmail.com and to nightowlokc@gmail.com.
28 The Bulletin | Winter 2025-26
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