Story perspectives

Man Charged With Two Murders After Marijuana Extraction Blast

9/1/2026

Summary

Ryan Bassham Charged

Ryan Bassham was charged with two murder counts after an explosion at his marijuana extraction site.
The blast struck at 1 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2026 at 411 S. Lincoln Ave., Sand Springs, damaging dozens of businesses.
Workers Stephen Scott and Michael Newman died; Newman said poor ventilation and unplugged equipment caused the blast.
Bassham operated without a valid Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority license after fire marshal Michael Nobles ordered closure a week earlier.

Summary

Authorities Open Tipline

Oklahoma authorities opened a tip line urging anyone with Bassham information to call law enforcement.
Witness Sharron Lancaster said the blast rattled her RV and shattered nearby windows.
Business owner Josh Cordell reported equipment damage that threatens his lawn-care company’s livelihood.
Officials said the explosion occurred during a THC extraction process at an unlicensed Lincoln Avenue facility.

History

Historical Context

On August 27, 2026, an illegal THC extraction operation in Sand Springs exploded, killing two workers and damaging nearby businesses. The blast echoes Oklahoma’s history of catastrophic explosions, most notably the April 19, 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by Timothy McVeigh that killed 168 people and shattered hundreds of buildings. The recurrence underscores ongoing concerns about unregulated chemical processes in the state.

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Ryan Bassham Charged

Ryan Bassham was charged with two murder counts after an explosion at his marijuana extraction site.
The blast struck at 1 a.m. on Aug. 27, 2026 at 411 S. Lincoln Ave., Sand Springs, damaging dozens of businesses.
Workers Stephen Scott and Michael Newman died; Newman said poor ventilation and unplugged equipment caused the blast.
Bassham operated without a valid Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority license after fire marshal Michael Nobles ordered closure a week earlier.

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