Despite GOP's Push To Scrap Medical Marijuana In South Dakota, Patients Needing It On The Rise

The number of South Dakotans who hold a medical marijuana card exceeded the 11,500 mark, representing far more than previously anticipated, reported South Dakota Searchlight.

"We've doubled the amount that we were projecting to see in three years within two years," Jennifer Seale, the state Department of Health's medical marijuana (MMJ) program administrator, told members of the Medical Marijuana Oversight Committee on Monday. The initial projections were that South Dakota would see 6,000 cardholders by 2024.

Among the conditions for which South Dakotans apply for an MMJ card are cancer, chronic pain, seizures, multiple sclerosis and severe muscle spasms.

As a result, marijuana revenue for fiscal 2023 totaled $1.37 million.

GOP-Led Push To Halt MMJ Program

The news comes on the heels of the state Attorney General Marty Jackley (R) releasing a final summary for the initiative that seeks to repeal South Dakota's MMJ program, which voters approved in the 2020 general election, alongside recreational marijuana use.

Republican activist Travis Ismay is behind the proposal to make all possession, use, cultivation, sale and production of cannabis and cannabis products a crime.

Jackley didn't take a position on the proposal and has "provided a fair and neutral explanation" to help voters decide on the proposed constitutional amendment.

In order to be placed on the 2024 ballot, the initiative must garner 17,509 valid signatures and approval from the Secretary of State's Office.

Recreational Marijuana Efforts In South Dakota

Even though there was 54% support for recreational cannabis legalization, the measure was declared unconstitutional some 20 months following the 2020 election.

Last November, South Dakota also failed to pass a Senate 3 bill that would have legalized adult-use cannabis.

Matthew Schweich of Sioux Falls recently filed a draft-initiated measure for public review by the AG seeking to legalize recreational marijuana. 

This proposed measure would allow adults over 21 to possess, grow, sell, ingest and distribute recreational cannabis or marijuana paraphernalia.

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Photo: Beniznga edit of photo by Berk Ozel and IRA_EVVA and Anneleven Stock by Shutterstock