Plans for South Dakota to allow medical marijuana by the summer appear to be going up in smoke after Gov. Kristi Noem said it will take “additional time” to begin implementation.
PIERRE, S.D. – Today, Governor Kristi Noem and leadership in both chambers of the South Dakota state legislature announced a plan to implement Initiated Measure
S.D. lawmakers off to slow start in regulating legal weed, but industry ramping up Nick Lowrey, South Dakota News Watch
Entrepreneurs across South Dakota are already taking steps to claim a share of the state’s soon-to-be-legal marijuana market, but legislators and regulators are off to a slow start in crafting laws and rules to govern the controversial new industry.
The sale, possession and use of recreational and medicinal marijuana are set to become legal in South Dakota for the first time on July 1. But when the 2021 South Dakota legislative session started on Jan. 12, only one bill regarding marijuana had been filed.
South Dakota lawmakers hesitant on legal weed as industry ramps up
Marijuana entrepreneurs, however, are not waiting for the Legislature to act. Many have been working for months to get businesses ready for the July 1 legalization date.
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Nick Lowrey / South Dakota News Watch | 2:15 pm, Jan. 19, 2021 ×
A farmer plants marijuana. Shutterstock photo
Entrepreneurs across South Dakota are already taking steps to claim a share of the state’s soon-to-be-legal marijuana market, but legislators and regulators are off to a slow start in crafting laws and rules to govern the controversial new industry.
A group of 15 Republican lawmakers have formed what they call a “Cannabis Caucus” to address marijuana issues this session. But leaders in both the Republican and Democratic parties say discussions on preparing for legalization and regulation of the business of marijuana sales, possession and use one of the top matters facing the 2021 Legislatur