Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Leadership Change as Berry Resigns
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Director Adria Berry Resigns After Five Years
Adria Berry, executive director of the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), will step down from her position effective October 30, 2026, ending a five-year tenure overseeing one of Oklahoma's most closely watched regulatory agencies. Governor Kevin Stitt has appointed Jason Yingling, OMMA's deputy chief of compliance and enforcement, to serve as interim director through January 2027.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority leadership change comes during a period of significant transformation for the state's medical marijuana industry, which has experienced increased regulatory enforcement, declining business licenses and ongoing efforts to eliminate illegal operations. Berry, who has led OMMA since 2021, will remain in Stitt's administration as Secretary of Licensing and Regulation through the conclusion of the governor's term in January.
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Leadership Change Ends Berry's Five-Year Tenure
Berry took over leadership of OMMA in 2021, during a period of rapid expansion in Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry following voter approval of State Question 788 in 2018.
During her tenure, OMMA transitioned from a division of the Oklahoma State Department of Health into an independent state agency, gaining additional authority and resources to oversee medical marijuana businesses and patient licensing.
Berry also oversaw implementation of Oklahoma's seed-to-sale tracking system, designed to monitor marijuana products from cultivation through processing and retail sales.
The system became a central component of the state's efforts to identify illegal activity, prevent diversion into unauthorized markets and strengthen accountability among licensed operators.
According to News 9's reporting on Berry's departure, Berry will leave her executive director position October 30 but continue serving in her cabinet-level role.
Her departure follows years of increased scrutiny surrounding Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry, including concerns about illegal cultivation operations, regulatory compliance and the number of businesses operating across the state.
The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority has implemented additional licensing requirements, inspections and enforcement procedures as part of broader efforts to strengthen oversight.
Berry's leadership coincided with a shift from rapid industry expansion toward more aggressive regulation and enforcement.
Jason Yingling Named Interim Director Through January 2027
Governor Stitt has selected Jason Yingling, OMMA's deputy chief of compliance and enforcement, to lead the agency temporarily following Berry's departure.
Yingling joined OMMA in 2022 and has played a role in the agency's compliance and enforcement operations.
His professional background includes 13 years with the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and six years with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. He is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
According to The Oklahoman's coverage of the leadership transition, Yingling will serve as interim director through January 2027, when Stitt's administration concludes.
His appointment places an experienced law enforcement official in charge of an agency that has increasingly emphasized investigations, inspections and enforcement against illegal marijuana operations.
OMMA's responsibilities include overseeing commercial cultivation facilities, processors, dispensaries, transporters and medical marijuana patient licensing.
The agency also works with law enforcement and other state agencies to address unlicensed operations and potential criminal activity involving marijuana production and distribution.
Yingling's interim appointment provides continuity during the final months of Stitt's administration while leaving longer-term leadership decisions to the incoming administration.
Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Industry Faces Continued Regulatory Changes
The leadership transition comes as Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry continues adjusting to stricter oversight and a changing business environment.
Since voters legalized medical marijuana in 2018, Oklahoma has developed a substantial network of cultivation facilities, dispensaries and processing operations.
However, the industry has also faced concerns involving illegal production, licensing compliance, environmental impacts and competition among businesses.
State officials have responded with additional regulatory requirements and enforcement measures intended to distinguish legitimate medical marijuana businesses from illegal operations.
For rural Oklahoma communities, marijuana regulation has become particularly significant because commercial cultivation facilities often operate on agricultural land or in areas where local governments have limited resources to address compliance concerns.
Licensed growers and dispensary operators must navigate evolving regulations while competing in a market that has experienced considerable changes since legalization.
The transition also comes shortly before Oklahoma's November 3 gubernatorial election, which will determine who succeeds Governor Stitt when his second term ends in January 2027.
Berry will remain Secretary of Licensing and Regulation through the remainder of Stitt's term, maintaining her responsibilities for broader state regulatory policy.
The departure of Adria Berry marks a significant leadership change for Oklahoma's medical marijuana industry after five years of expanding oversight and enforcement. Yingling's appointment signals continuity in the agency's compliance-focused approach during the transition.
The next administration will ultimately determine OMMA's permanent leadership and whether the state's regulatory priorities continue along the same path.
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