The Status of Cannabis Legalization in SD
In recent South Dakota cannabis news, SD1 has passed the Senate chamber and the House Health and Human Services Committee. SD1 adds certain conditions but also removes the ability of patients and others to petition the Department of Health to add additional qualifying conditions in the future. If passed, new conditions could only be added by an act of the legislature.
The legislation looks to add the following conditions: AIDS/HIV, ALS, Multiple sclerosis, Cancer or its treatment, if associated with severe or chronic pain, nausea or severe vomiting, cachexia or severe wasting, Crohn’s disease, Epilepsy and seizures, Glaucoma, or Post-traumatic stress disorder.
In November 2020, South Dakota officially became the first state to simultaneously legalize recreational and medicinal cannabis with the Amendment A and Ballot Measure 26.
Ballot Measure 26, passing by 69% of the vote, legalizes medicinal cannabis and allows cannabis card holders to possess and purchase up to three ounces of cannabis from a licensed dispensary. The state Department of Health will have until October 29, 2020 to enact regulations for the medical cannabis program and will issue cards by November 18, 2020.
South Dakotans narrowly passed Constitutional Amendment A during the November 2020 election with a margin of about 13% of the vote over the opposition. Constitutional Amendment A legalizes the possession, transportation, and distribution of cannabis. With the legalization, adults over the age of 21 can purchase or possess up to one ounce of cannabis. Constitutional Amendment A formally takes effect on July 1, 2021.The South Dakota Department of Revenue will develop recreational licensing regulations by April 2022.
Patient Qualifying Conditions
The state has no program nor qualifying conditions.
Caregivers
Without a designated statewide program, there are no caregiver laws set up for assisting patients with medical cannabis in South Dakota.
Possession and Cultivation Limits
There are no definitive possession laws regarding medical cannabis since the state of South Dakota does not have a program.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, the state does not offer any physician referrals, which is why Veriheal will set up shop in South Dakota when the state approves a medical cannabis program to help patients make appointments with registered physicians.
Veriheal will provide physicians for you once the state approves a program. After meeting with a certified doctor in a virtual video consultation from the comfort of your own home, the doctor will determine your eligibility based on a qualifying condition.
From start to finish, the medical evaluation takes approximately 10-15 minutes.