Oklahoma's Straw Owner Loophole Exploited in Major Marijuana Bust

Updated: Jul 12, 2024

Sapulpa Grow Operation Shutdown by Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) recently dismantled a major marijuana grow operation in Sapulpa, seizing over 2,000 plants. Another Large-scale operation was shut down by OBN, illegal grow operations have been plaguing the industry in Oklahoma for years. The bust highlighted a significant issue in the marijuana industry: the exploitation of "straw owners" to circumvent legal restrictions.

The Straw Owner Scheme

The operation was led by Ron Mauzey, who used 81-year-old Emma Roach as a straw owner. A straw owner is someone who holds a license on behalf of someone else to disguise the true operator's identity. This tactic is often employed to bypass regulatory requirements and background checks.

Emma Roach's Involvement

Emma Roach, a long-time landowner in Sapulpa, had no prior knowledge or experience with marijuana cultivation. She agreed to let Mauzey use her name for the grow operation because she trusted him, having known him all his life. Roach, who owns the 40-acre property where the illegal grow was situated, stated, "He approached me about getting a grow in my name, and he would foot the bill for everything."

Roach became the nominal license holder while Mauzey handled the actual operations. He even involved Roach's daughter in the business, but tensions rose when he fired her in April. Roach decided to terminate their arrangement, stating, "Whenever he did that, I called him since I was president of the corporation and told him you're fired, and I'm pulling my grow."

Legal Disputes and Accusations

Following the fallout, Mauzey took Roach to court, claiming she had agreed to sell him 30 acres of her land for $400,000, of which he had already paid $115,000. Roach denies these claims, asserting, "He claims I had told him I would sell him this property. I never did. I didn't ever sign anything, so what if I did, but I never did."

The lawsuit demands that Roach either return the money or finalize a written contract for the sale. The legal battle continues, with Mauzey reserving his comments for court.

Regulatory Implications and Potential Arrests

The case underscores the challenges faced by regulators in ensuring that licensed operators are genuinely involved in the cultivation and management of marijuana grows. The Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) has strict rules that license holders must be the actual operators, a regulation clearly flouted in this case.

OBN has not yet made any arrests, but they have indicated that this could change as the investigation progresses. The situation serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of compliance with state regulations to avoid legal entanglements and potential criminal charges.

The exploitation of straw owners like Emma Roach reveals significant vulnerabilities in the regulatory framework governing the marijuana industry. As authorities continue to crack down on such practices, it's crucial for all parties involved in marijuana cultivation to adhere strictly to legal requirements to maintain the integrity and legitimacy of the industry.

Is the use of "straw owners" a major loophole in the marijuana industry?