Medical Cannabis in South Dakota

Events

  • March 9, 2022: The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program performed a random drawing to determine successful applicants for dispensary certification in Rapid City. The drawing was held at South Dakota Lottery on the third floor of the Dolly-Reed Plaza, 711 East Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD. Members of the public had the opportunity to view the drawing live through a viewing window or via videoconference.
  • January 26, 2022: The South Dakota Medical Cannabis Program performed a random drawing to determine successful applicants for dispensary certification in the City of Yankton. The drawing was held at South Dakota Lottery on the third floor of the Dolly-Reed Plaza, 711 East Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD. Members of the public had the opportunity to view the drawing live through a viewing window or via videoconference.
  • January 19, 2022: The Department of Health has issued the first medical cannabis establishment registration certificates to dispensaries in Watertown and Keystone, South Dakota.
  • November 18, 2021: Today, in accordance with SDCL 34-20G and the unwavering commitment of Governor Noem and the South Dakota Department of Health to deliver a safe and responsible medical cannabis program, the first medical cannabis patient cards were printed and issued. See news release here.
  • November 8, 2021: Physicians can now access the medical cannabis patient portal and begin certifying medical cannabis patients. Once certified by a physician, patients will then be able to access the online application process and complete their applications. Approved applicants will have a medical cannabis patient card mailed to them. See Patient Process Overview for more information.
  • October 26, 2021: The Rules Review Committee approved the Department of Health Revised Rules with a 6-0 vote.
  • October 25, 2021: The South Dakota Department of Health released medical cannabis establishment application form.
  • October 15, 2021: The South Dakota Department of Health released updated reverted rules related to implementation of the state’s Medical Cannabis Program.
  • October 8, 2021: A document was released to provide direction on the Department of Health's anticipated treatment of medical cannabis establishment applications in relation to any municipality or county with ordinances pertaining to licensure of these establishments.
  • September 13, 2021: The Legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee approved the Department of Health’s proposed administrative rules to establish a medical cannabis program in South Dakota. The legislature approved 143 of 149 proposed rules.
  • September 13, 2021: The Department of Health presented to the Legislature Interim Rules Review Committee its proposed administrative rules. View a section-by-section summary.
  • September 3, 2021: The Department of Health released the latest draft of its proposed rules for the states Medical Cannabis program.
  • August 18, 2021: The Department of Health held an in-person/virtual public hearing in Pierre to consider the adoption and amendment of proposed rules for South Dakota medical cannabis program as required by SDCL 34-20G. To view the public hearing, CLICK HERE. To view meeting minutes, CLICK HERE.
  • August 12, 2021: Representatives from the Department of Health presented at the Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Issues Management Council on South Dakotas' medical cannabis program.
  • August 5, 2021: Representatives from the Department of Health, Department of Education, and the South Dakota High School Activities Association presented at the joint Associated School Boards of South Dakota and School Administrators of South Dakota conference in Sioux Falls, SD. The conversation revolved around medical cannabis in schools and proposed administrative rules.
  • August 4, 2021: The South Dakota Department of Health presented an overview of the proposed medical cannabis administrative rules to the legislative summer study committee.
  • July 27, 2021: The South Dakota Department of Health announced that a public hearing will be held on August 18, 2021, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. CDT, in Conference Room 3 of the Kneip Building, 700 Governor’s Drive in Pierre, SD to consider the adoption and amendment of proposed rules for South Dakota medical cannabis program as required by SDCL 34-20G.
  • July 19, 2021: The legislature’s Interim Rules Review Committee adopted rules to establish the mandatory and permissive district policies for schools to allow students to have access to medical cannabis on school property and at school-sponsored activities.
  • July 12, 2021: The Department of Health and Department of Revenue jointly issued an RFP for a Cannabis Seed to Sale Tracking System.
  • July 9, 2021: The Office of the Attorney General in Agreement with South Dakota Highway Patrol's Framework for Implementation of IM26
  • July 9, 2021: The South Dakota Board of Education Standards approved amendments to rules initially passed in May establishing the general provisions for schools to allow students to have access to medical cannabis on school property and at school-sponsored activities. Visit the board’s webpage.
  • June 30, 2021: The Department of Health announced a preliminary list of conditions for the medical cannabis program.
  • June 29, 2021: The Department of Health held four zoom sessions with stakeholders to receive input on the proposed Administrative Rules. Participants included business establishments, law enforcement representatives, local municipalities and health care providers.
  • June 28, 2021: The Department of Health hosted two tele-townhalls to receive public input on the proposed draft rules of medical cannabis in South Dakota.
  • June 24, 2021: The Department of Health released its draft rules to implement the medical cannabis program created by voters in Initiated Measure 26.
  • June 16, 2021: The Department of Health held a virtual medical cannabis presentation with the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations and requested input on draft rules.
  • June 10, 2021: The Department of Health and Department of Revenue staff went to North Dakota to meet with their counterparts and discuss best-practices, lessons learned and to hear directly what challenges they faced and how they responded in their program implementation.
  • June 7, 2021: Legislature's Interim Rules Review Committee reviewed Article 24:60 (Medical Cannabis), suggesting further review.
  • June 4, 2021: Department of Health Secretary Kim Malsam-Rysdon and Deputy Secretary Lynne Valenti presented at the annual South Dakota State Medical Association meeting in Sioux Falls regarding the medical cannabis program and requested input on draft rules.
  • June 3, 2021: Department of Health held conference call with SD County Commissioners Association and SD Municipal League to discuss draft rules.
  • May 26, 2021: Legislative Marijuana Interim Study Committee held a meeting to discuss the rule-making and implementation process of medical cannabis in South Dakota. Department of Health and Department of Revenue testified on issues for the Legislature to consider involving medical cannabis programs.
  • May 17, 2021: Department of Education adopted Article 24:60 (Medical Cannabis).
  • April 26, 2021: Department of Health issued RFP for establishment registration and cardholder issuance system.
  • February-March, 2021: Noem Administration discusses implementation of medical cannabis program with members of the State Legislature.
  • January 19, 2021: Noem Administration retains Cannabis Public Policy Consulting to advise on implementation of medical cannabis program.