Medical marijuana law changing after Gov. Kristi Noem signs cannabis bills into law
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
South Dakota's new medical marijuana law is changing less than a year after it went on the books.
Gov. Kristi Noem announced Friday she'd signed a series of cannabis-related measures passed earlier this winter by the state Legislature that modify statutes that govern South Dakota's medical marijuana program.
From in-home cultivation to the process of getting a medical marijuana identification card through the Department of Health, the six bills the governor signed Friday are aimed at "implementing a safe and responsible medical cannabis program that is the most patient-focused in the country," Noem said in a statement.
Here are the bills related to medical marijuana and cannabis that have been signed into law.
Senate Bill 19 changes the medical marijuana law to allow nursing homes, treatment center and mental health centers to implement restrictions on cannabis use within their facilities. Specifically, it protects those facilities from being forced to store and administer medical cannabis to clients and patients.
SB 21 adds language to the medical marijuana law that requires the health department provide written notice if they revoke a previously issued medical marijuana ID card. Before SB 21's passage, a medical marijuana ID card could be revoked without any obligation to explain why.
SB 24 placed a four-plant cap on the number of cannabis plants a qualified medical marijuana ID cardholder can have in their private residence at one time. Originally, the law spelled out no limit. The new law stipulates that only two plants can be the state of growth at which they produce marijuana buds, while the other two plants cannot be beyond seedling stage.
SB 26 added physician's assistants and nurse practitioners to the list of medical professionals eligible to certify patients as qualifying for medical marijuana use.
SB 118 clarified testing requirements included in the original medical marijuana law. Going forward, cannabis products must be tested in batches exceeding no more than 50 pounds.
Not specifically related to medical marijuana, SB 201 modified language in South Dakota's industrial hemp statutes. It allows the health secretary to waive finger-printing requirements for certain hemp growers or owners of property where hemp is being grown. And it adds flexibility to allow hemp producers and manufacturers to temporarily exceed the .3% THC limit required in statute during certain phases of CBD production.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: South Dakota medical marijuana laws change after new bills signed
