JANUARY 23, 2024:
Law enforcement and other designated state agencies would have more rights to inspect, search, and impose disciplinary actions against medical cannabis facilities under a bill passed by the South Dakota Senate Monday (Jan. 22, 2024).
District 24 Senator Jim Mehlhaff of Pierre is the prime sponsor of SB71.
Currently the South Dakota Department of Health being the only entity with authority to regulate medical marijuana dispensaries, cultivation, testing and manufacturing sites. In previous committee action, medical cannabis supporters said there’s currently nothing preventing law enforcement from searching a facility if they have probable cause.
South Dakota voters approved medical marijuana in 2020. Proponents said the reason for the law allowing only the Department of Health to inspect, etc. medical marijuana facilities was to protect the new industry in the state. Proponents say the industry is now mature and no longer needs such protection.
“I have been fighting this bill for three years now,” said Republican Sen. David Wheeler from Huron. “I’m not going to anymore. The industry has been around for a few years. I’m not aware of problems with dispensaries, no problems with law enforcement.”
SB71 passed 26 to 7. It now goes to a House