A. Beginning August 1, 2022, and ending August 1, 2024, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority shall, based on the number of current medical marijuana business licenses for dispensaries, processors, and commercial growers, declare and establish a moratorium on processing and issuing new medical marijuana business licenses for dispensaries, processors, and commercial growers. The Executive Director of the Authority shall be authorized to terminate the moratorium at any time prior to August 1, 2024, if the Executive Director determines that all pending licensing reviews, inspections, or investigations have been completed by the Authority.

B. The provisions of this section shall not apply to the renewal of a medical marijuana business license for a dispensary, processor, or commercial grower under the provisions of Section 427.14 of Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes or to the issuance of a medical marijuana business license necessitated by a change in the ownership or location of a medical marijuana dispensary, medical marijuana processor, or medical marijuana commercial grower; provided, however, the Authority shall be authorized to deny the request for issuance of a medical marijuana business license due to a change in ownership if the licensee is subject to any disciplinary action that may necessitate the revocation, suspension, or nonrenewal of the medical marijuana business license.

C. The Authority shall review and process applications for medical marijuana business licenses for dispensaries, processors, and commercial growers if applications were received on or before August 1, 2022.

D. The Authority shall promulgate rules as necessary to implement the provisions of this section.