South Dakota recently legalized both medical and recreational marijuana, and the market for cannabis products is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. This presents a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry in the state.

This means there may be less competition and more opportunity for a new business to establish itself in the market.

Moreover, South Dakota has a well-regulated and organized system for licensing and regulating marijuana dispensaries, making it relatively easy to start a business in this industry. The state has already issued licenses to several dispensaries, and more are expected to open in the coming months.

Additionally, South Dakota has a low cost of living and affordable real estate, which can make it easier for businesses to operate with lower overhead costs.

Finally, South Dakota has a large rural population, which can provide a unique customer base for a marijuana dispensary. Additionally, the state has a strong tourism industry, which can attract even more customers.Overall, opening a marijuana dispensary in South Dakota may present a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to enter the cannabis industry. However, it is important to do thorough research and comply with all state regulations and laws to ensure a successful and legal operation.

South Dakota will vote on medical marijuana and adult-use legalization in November!

Thanks to the hard work of advocates who gathered over 83,000 signatures in just two months last fall, South Dakota will become the first state to ever vote on medical marijuana and adult-use legalization at the same time.

South Dakotans for Better Marijuana Laws is championing the initiative to tax and regulate marijuana similarly to alcohol and working alongside New Approach South Dakota, which is supporting the medical marijuana measure. Both campaigns expect strong opposition from powerful politicians in the state, but polling suggests each proposal enjoys majority support among South Dakota voters.

South Dakota marijuana possession laws may be the nation's harshest

Possession of just a small amount of marijuana in South Dakota carries a potential penalty of a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Even more alarmingly, individuals who have consumed marijuana elsewhere are also subject to this penalty if they test positive for past use — even if they consumed marijuana in a state where it was legal. South Dakota appears to be the only state with such an “internal possession” law. In addition, possession of any amount of hash or concentrates is a felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Even just possessing drug paraphernalia, like a marijuana pipe, in South Dakota can land you a misdemeanor charge, up to 30 days in prison, and up to a $500 fine.

A study by the American Civil Liberties Union found that South Dakota was among the top 10 states for racial disparities in marijuana possession arrest rates. Despite people of all races using marijuana at very similar rates, blacks in South Dakota are nearly 4.8 times more likely than whites to be arrested for marijuana possession.

South Dakota allows controlled access to cannabidiol, fails to protect medical cannabis patients

In 2017, South Dakota's legislature enacted the most restrictive and limited of any state law that acknowledges some form of cannabis’ medical value. The law (Senate Bill 95) removed cannabidiol (CBD oil) from the definition of marijuana and made it a Schedule IV controlled substance, if and only if CBD oil was approved by the Food and Drug Administration. (A House committee had approved a version of the bill that would have eliminated the FDA approval requirement.)

In 2018, the FDA approved Epidiolex, a nearly pure pharmaceutical extract of cannabidiol, for Lennox-Gastaut and Dravet Syndromes, types of epilepsy.

Unfortunately, this does not help patients who need some THC in order to get relief for their symptoms, so an effective medical marijuana program is still needed. It also does not help patients who benefit from other types of CBD products or who have other medical conditions.