Ex-Highway Patrolman Turned Cannabis Entrepreneur Criticizes Gaps In South Dakota's Hemp Regulation

Alan Welsh, known for his distinguished law enforcement career as a highway patrolman, now finds himself at the helm of Dakota Herb, a burgeoning cannabis operation. His transition from law enforcement to a medical cannabis advocate and entrepreneur serves as testament of the drastic change in his views.

During his 28-year tenure with the highway patrol, Welsh was instrumental in numerous high-profile drug seizures, his most notable being the 2012 confiscation of 295 pounds of marijuana, reported South Dakota Searchlight. Today, his cannabis company regularly produces similar quantities, strictly for medical use.

From Law Enforcement To Cannabis Advocacy

"When I was in law enforcement, I'd have gone crazy seeing this," Welsh said. The irony of Welsh's career pivot is palpable as he navigates through rooms full of cannabis, a stark contrast to his days in uniform. This change was sparked by his post-retirement stint managing security for a North Dakota trucking firm, coupled with persuasive discussions about the medical benefits of cannabis initiated by his employer and friend, Darcy Johnson.

Challenges In Regulating Hemp-Derived THC

However, Welsh’s new career has not been without its frustrations, particularly with the regulatory responses to the quasi-legal market of cannabis alternatives like Delta-8 and Delta-10 THC products. These products, derived from hemp and mimicking the effects of marijuana, have proliferated following the 2018 Farm Bill, which legalized hemp with THC levels below 0.3%.

Read Also: Intoxicating Hemp Products Face Regulatory Crackdown Across Multiple States

"The state has access to our camera system. The state has access to our registers. They see what we sold. These other places aren't doing any of that,” Welsh told South Dakota Searchlight. Yet, he points out that the same level of scrutiny is not applied to hemp alternatives sold in non-specialized retail locations, such as smoke shops and gas stations.

Gaps In South Dakota’s Hemp Regulation

Recent legislative measures in South Dakota, such as House Bill 1125, aim to curb these hemp-derived intoxicants by banning the chemical alteration of hemp into psychoactive compounds. Yet, Welsh points out that these laws still fall short in addressing all loopholes, such as the sale of THC-A products which convert to Delta-9 THC upon consumption, remaining legal under current guidelines.

South Dakota’s cautious stance on enforcing these new regulations further complicates the landscape, prompting Welsh to question the efficacy and focus of ongoing enforcement practices.

Read Next:

• South Dakota Leads In U.S. Hemp Production
• Marijuana Smell That ‘Could Knock You Off Your Feet’ Gets Ohio Police Chief Fired After Refusing Drug Test

Photo credits: John Hult / South Dakota Searchlight.

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