It was long assumed that waiting for a medical marijuana card in South Dakota would be an exercise in futility. The assumption was that SD would be among the last states to legalize MMJ if it would ever do so at all.
Then, in November 2020, something remarkable happened. Measure 26, a piece of legislation designed to bring medical marijuana to South Dakota, was passed by voters. Moreover, approximately 70% of those who turned out to vote said ‘yes’ to the measure. Even more remarkably, a slight majority of voters also said ‘yes’ to Constitutional Amendment A, which legalized recreational marijuana in the state.
So, it was clearly a case of lawmakers once again not reading the room, as is often the scenario. While the adult-use program isn’t going ahead, you can get a medical marijuana card in South Dakota. Let’s learn more about how to get a medical marijuana card in SD, the state’s marijuana laws, and whether it has a reciprocity program.
How to Get a Medical Marijuana Card in South Dakota
It’s a pretty straightforward program, to tell you the truth. The biggest problem is trying to find a physician willing to provide certification. Unfortunately, many people still have a 1930s mindset when it comes to marijuana.
The double standards are egregious when it comes to the medical profession, quite frankly. These are the individuals who have no issues prescribing highly addictive opioids to patients, knowing that well over a thousand people die from an opioid overdose in the United States.
Also, you can’t complete a doctor’s consultation online, which means a face-to-face appointment is mandatory. Your best bet is to use a service like MMJCardOnline when seeking a medical marijuana card in SD. This company has links with several of the nation’s top-rated providers of MMJ consultations.
What happens is that the company helps you find a licensed physician, giving you a reasonable chance of getting the certification. In addition, if you don’t get the doctor’s approval, you get your money back.
If you happen to receive the necessary certification, the next step involves creating an account on the official South Dakota state government website. For the record, you should receive an email telling you to do this once you have received the certification.
Complete the online application and wait for the South Dakota Department of Health to confirm that you are an MMJ patient. Now, it is a question of extra waiting, with your card likely to arrive in the mail within 30 days of receiving full state approval. Now, you’re free to visit a licensed dispensary and buy and possess up to three ounces of marijuana flower.
What Are the Penalties for Committing Marijuana Crimes in SD?
If you want to use marijuana in the state, it is essential to get a South Dakota medical marijuana card. That’s because the SD Supreme Court ruled that Amendment A was unconstitutional, so recreational cannabis is not legal in the state.
Anyone found in possession of up to two ounces of weed without an MMJ card could spend up to a year in prison. If you’re found with more than this amount, a felony charge beckons. An individual found guilty in this scenario could spend up to 10 years in prison! Also, the possession of any amount of concentrates or hash would result in a decade in prison.
If you’re caught with weed on your person and go to prison, you’re far from being alone. According to data from the National Center for Drug Abuse Statistics, marijuana-related crimes account for around 11% of the total number of arrests in the United States.
Unfortunately, South Dakota does not have a reciprocity agreement with any state, so if you visit SD with an out-of-state MMJ card, you’re out of luck.
Final Thoughts on Obtaining a South Dakota MMJ Card
Even though South Dakota’s voters were in favor of recreational marijuana, their voices have not been heard as anti-marijuana groups and lawmakers managed to overturn the recreational bill that was approved by the people.
Fortunately, the dissenting voices were unable to do the same with MMJ, so you can get a medical marijuana card in South Dakota by following the DOH’s process. You need the protection of the card if you want to use weed and stay out of prison.
